[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3082-3083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-946]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2012 Economic 
Census Covering the Wholesale Trade Sector

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before March 21, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Robert Nusz, U.S. Census Bureau, Service Sector 
Statistics Division, HQ-8K162, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 
(301) 763-7154 or via the Internet at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The economic census, conducted under authority of Title 13, United 
States Code (U.S.C.), is the primary source of facts about the 
structure and functioning of the Nation's economy. Economic statistics 
serve as part of the framework for the national accounts and provide 
essential information for

[[Page 3083]]

government, business, and the general public. Economic data are the 
Census Bureau's primary program commitment during nondecennial census 
years. The 2012 Economic Census covering the Wholesale Trade sector (as 
defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)) 
will measure the economic activity of more than 450,000 establishments. 
The information collected will produce basic statistics by kind of 
business on the number of establishments, sales, payroll, and 
employment. It will also yield a variety of subject statistics, 
including sales by product line, sales by class of customer, and other 
industry-specific measures. Primary strategies for reducing burden in 
Census Bureau economic data collections are to increase reporting 
through standardized questionnaires and broader electronic data 
collection methods.

II. Method of Collection

Mail Selection Procedures

    Establishments in the Wholesale Trade sector of the economic census 
will be selected from the Census Bureau's Business Register for a mail 
canvass. To be eligible for selection, an establishment will be 
required to satisfy the following conditions: (i) It must be classified 
in the Wholesale Trade sector; (ii) it must be an active operating 
establishment of a multi-establishment firm (i.e., a firm that operates 
at more than one physical location), or it must be a single-
establishment firm with payroll (i.e., a firm operating at only one 
physical location); and (iii) it must be located in one of the 50 
States or the District of Columbia. Mail selection procedures will 
distinguish the following groups of establishments:
1. Establishments of Multi-Establishment Firms
    All active operating establishments of multi-establishment firms 
will be included in the mail component of the potential respondent 
universe. We estimate that the 2012 Economic Census mail canvass for 
the Wholesale Trade sector will include approximately 134,000 
establishments of multi-establishment firms.
2. Single-Establishment Firms With Payroll
    All single-establishment firms having annualized payroll (from 
Federal administrative records) will be included in the mail component 
of the potential respondent universe. We estimate that the 2012 
Economic Census mail canvass for the Wholesale Trade sector will 
include approximately 316,000 establishments of single-establishment 
firms.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0929.
    Form Number: The 42 standard forms and ownership or control flier 
used to collect information from businesses in this sector of the 
Economic Census are tailored to specific business practices and are too 
numerous to list separately in this notice.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: State or local governments, businesses or other 
for-profit or non-profit institutions and organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 450,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 675,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $19,581,750.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, U.S.C. 131 & 224.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 12, 2011.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-946 Filed 1-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P