[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51301-51302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-20440]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Manufacturers' 
Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) Survey

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.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before October 27, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, 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 Mary Catherine Potter, U.S. Census Bureau, 
Manufacturing and Construction Division, 4600 Silver Hill

[[Page 51302]]

Rd., Room 7K157, Washington, DC 20233-6913, (301) 763-4207 or via the 
Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau plans to request an extension of the current 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of the Manufacturers' 
Shipments, Inventories and Orders (M3) survey. The Manufacturers' 
Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) survey requests data from 
domestic manufacturers on form M-3 (SD), which will be mailed at the 
end of each month. Data requested are shipments, new orders, unfilled 
orders, total inventory, materials and supplies, work-in-process, and 
finished goods. It is currently the only survey that provides broad-
based monthly statistical data on the economic conditions in the 
domestic manufacturing sector.
    The M3 survey is designed to measure current industrial activity 
and to provide an indication of future production commitments. The 
value of shipments measures the value of goods delivered during the 
month by domestic manufacturers. Estimates of new orders serve as an 
indicator of future production commitments and represent the current 
sales value of new orders received during the month, net of 
cancellations. Substantial accumulation or depletion of unfilled orders 
measures excess or deficient demand for manufactured products. The 
level of inventories, especially in relation to shipments, is 
frequently used to monitor the business cycle.
    We do not plan any changes to the M-3 (SD) form. The estimated 
total annual burden hours will remain 17,200.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents submit data on form M-3 (SD) via mail, or via the 
Internet. Analysts call respondents who usually report, to obtain data 
in time for preparing the monthly estimates.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0008.
    Form Number(s): M-3 (SD).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses, large and small, or other for profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,300.
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 17,200.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 131 and 182.

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: August 22, 2014.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-20440 Filed 8-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P