Federal Register: December 16, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 242)
DOCID: fr16de08-34 FR Doc E8-29734
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr16de08-34
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) Survey
DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on or before February 17, 2009.
DOCUMENT 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,
[[Page 76334]]
Public Law 10413 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
SUMMARY:
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals,
SUPPLEMENTAL 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 M3 (SD), which will be mailed at the end of each month. Data requested are shipments, new orders, unfilled orders, total inventory, materials and supplies, workinprocess, 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 M3 (SD) form. The estimated total annual burden hours have increased from 16,800 to 17,200 due to an increase in the number of respondents.
II. Method of Collection
Respondents submit data on form M3 (SD) via mail, facsimile
machine, Touchtone Data Entry (TDE), 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: 06070008.
Form Number: M3 (SD).
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,300.
Estimated Time per Response: 20 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 17,200.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $424,324.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Sections 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: December 10, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E829734 Filed 121508; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 351007P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Chris Savage, U.S. Census Bureau, Manufacturing and Construction Division, 4600 Silver Hill Rd., Room 7K071, Washington, DC 202336913, (301) 7634834 or via the Internet at john.c.savage@census.gov.