Current Industrial Reports SurveysWAVE I (Voluntary and Mandatory Submissions)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

Current Industrial Reports Surveys--WAVE I (Voluntary and

Mandatory Submissions)

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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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: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room

5327, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions

should be directed to:

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Contact Industries Telephone Address

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Michael Zampogna................... Manufactured (301) 457-4810........ Bureau of Census,

nondurable products. Manufacturing &

Construction Division,

Room 2212, Building 4,

Washington, DC 20233.

Kenneth Hansen..................... Manufactured durable (301) 457-4755........ Bureau of Census,

products. Manufacturing &

Construction Division,

Room 2207, Building 4,

Washington, DC 20233.

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Census Bureau conducts a series of monthly, quarterly, and

annual surveys as part of the Current Industrial Reports (CIR) program.

The CIR deal mainly with the quantity and value of shipments of

particular products and occasionally with data on production and

inventories; unfilled orders, receipts, stocks and consumption; and

comparative data on domestic production, exports, and imports of the

products they cover. These surveys provide continuing and timely

national statistical data on manufacturing. The results of these

surveys are used extensively by individual firms, trade associations,

and market analysts in planning or recommending marketing and

legislative strategies.

The CIR program includes both mandatory and voluntary surveys.

[[Page 8686]]

Typically the monthly and quarterly surveys are conducted on a

voluntary basis. Those companies that choose not to respond to the

voluntary surveys are required to submit a mandatory annual

counterpart. The annual counterpart collects annual data from those

firms not participating in the more frequent collection.

Due to the large number of surveys in the CIR program, for

clearance purposes we group the surveys into three Waves. The mandatory

and voluntary surveys in each Wave are separately submitted. Thus, a

total of six clearances cover all of the surveys in the CIR program.

One Wave is submitted for reclearance each year. This year the Census

Bureau plans to submit mandatory and voluntary surveys of Wave I for

clearance. The surveys in Wave I are as follows:

Mandatory Surveys

M2OH--Fats and Oils (Warehouse Stocks)

M20M--Fats and Oils (Consumers)

M20N--Fats and Oils (Producers)

MA28F--Paints and Allied Products

MA32C--Refractories

MA33A--Iron and Steel Foundries

MA33E--Nonferrous Casting

MA34K--Steel Drums and Pails

MA35A--Farm Machinery

MA35M--Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

Equipment

MA35Q--Anti-Friction Bearings

MA36A--Switchgear, Relays, Etc.

MA36F--Major Household Appliances

MA36H--Motors and Generators

MA36K--Wiring Devices and Supplies

MA36P--Communication Equipment

MA37D--Aerospace(will be merged with M37G)

MA38B--Instruments and Related Products

Voluntary Surveys

M37G--Civil Aircraft and Engines (MA37D will be merged with M37G)

M37L--Truck Trailers

MA35N--Fluid Power Products

MQ22D--Consumption on the Woolen System

MQ28B--Fertilizer Materials

MQ32D--Clay Construction Products

MQ34E--Plumbing Fixtures

MQ36B--Electric Lamps (discontinued in 1994)

MQ36C--Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts

II. Method of Collection

The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to

collect data. We ask respondents to return monthly report forms within

10 days, quarterly report forms within 15 days, and annual report forms

within 30 days of the initial mailing. Telephone calls and/or letters

encouraging participation will be mailed to respondents that have not

responded by the designated time.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0607-0392--Mandatory Surveys; 0607-0393--Voluntary

Surveys and annual counterparts.

Form Number: See table above.

Type of Review: Regular Review.

Affected Public: Businesses, Other for Profit, or Organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents

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Mandatory Surveys............................................. 11,429

Voluntary Surveys............................................. 1,735

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Total..................................................... 13,164

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Estimated Time Per Response:

Mandatory Surveys--1.27 hrs

Voluntary Surveys--1.86 hrs

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours

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Mandatory Surveys............................................. 14,493

Voluntary Surveys............................................. 3,233

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Total..................................................... 17,726

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Estimated Total Annual Cost: The estimated cost of the CIR program

for fiscal year 1997 is $4.3 million.

Respondent's Obligation: The CIR program includes both mandatory

and voluntary surveys. Typically the monthly and quarterly surveys are

conducted on a voluntary basis. Those companies that choose not to

respond to the voluntary surveys are required to submit a mandatory

annual counterpart. The annual counterpart collects annual data from

those firms not participating in the more frequent collection.

Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 61, 131,

182, 224, and 225.

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 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: February 20, 1997.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and

Organization.

[FR Doc. 97-4697 Filed 2-25-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-07-P