[Federal Register: September 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 178)]
[Notices]
[Page 53959-53960]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15se03-39]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
[Docket Number 030829216-3216-01]
RIN 0607-AA40
Annual Trade Survey
AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is proposing to
expand the 2003 Annual Trade Survey (ATS) to include manufacturers'
sales branches and offices (MSBO). The Census Bureau proposes this
expansion at the request of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The
BEA considers this information vital to its accurate measurement of
sales and inventories for wholesale trade. These data are
[[Page 53960]]
important inputs to BEA's preparation of National Income and Product
accounts and its annual input-output tables.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 15,
2003.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to the Director, U.S. Census
Bureau, Room 2049, Federal Building 3, Washington, DC 20233.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Trimble, Chief, Annual Trade and
Special Projects Branch, Service Sector Statistics Division, on (301)
763-7223, or by e-mail: John Trimble@census.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Census Bureau is authorized to conduct
surveys necessary to furnish current data on subjects covered by the
major censuses authorized by Title 13, United States Code (U.S.C.),
Sections 182, 224, and 225. Reporting by MSBO establishments will be
mandatory and provide continuing and timely national statistical data.
Data collected in this survey will be within the general scope, type,
and character of those inquiries covered in the Economic Census.
The current ATS collects data only for merchant wholesalers. The
expanded survey will include a selected sample of firms and operating
establishments primarily selling goods that they manufacture in the
United States. These data will be a vital source for accurately
measuring sales, inventories, and operating expenses for wholesale
trade. The BEA has made repeated requests for this information. The
expanded ATS will cover approximately 90 percent of sales from the
wholesale sector and over 99 percent of its inventories compared to
about 58 percent of sales and 85 percent of inventories in the present
ATS sample.
Beginning with the survey year 2003, the goal will be to maximize
industry coverage within our available resources. In order to establish
reporting arrangements and reduce respondent burden, we will mail
report forms to a sample of firms on a company basis and contact them
in person, as well as by phone and mail. We will mail a survey
introduction letter followed by report forms to the firms covered by
this survey and require the report forms to be returned thirty days
after receipt. The report forms will request similar data items, but
different forms are needed to accommodate both merchant wholesale and
MSBO companies as well as both large and small firms. Later, as
necessary, additional mail follow-ups and telephone follow-ups will be
conducted.
The primary users of these data will be federal, state and local
government agencies, including the Bureau of the Census, BEA, and the
Environmental Protection Agency. Other users will include business
firms, academics, trade associations, and research and consulting
organizations.
Rulemaking Requirements
Executive Order 12866
This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of
Executive Order 12866.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration that this rule would not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Census Bureau is
proposing to expand the 2003 Annual Trade Survey (ATS) to include
manufacturers' sales branches and offices (MSBO). If this proposed rule
is adopted, the expanded ATS would cover approximately 90 percent of
sales from the wholesale sector and over 99 percent of its inventories
compared to about 58 percent of sales and 85 percent of inventories in
the present ATS sample.
If this rule is adopted, it is estimated that the survey will
require an additional 1,800 MSBOs to respond to the survey. It is
estimated that approximately 1,200, or 67 percent, of the respondents
would be small entities. The approximate total additional burden hours
as a result of this rule is 800 hours (27 minutes per survey). This
includes time for reviewing the instructions, searching existing data
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
reviewing the information collection. The total cost is estimated to be
$14,560 based on an annual response burden of 800 hours and a rate of
$18.20 per hour to complete the form. The total cost to respondents
that are small entities is estimated to be $9,755.
Because small businesses are subject to minimal recording-keeping
and reporting burdens as a result of this rule, the Chief Counsel for
Regulation certifies that this proposed rule will not have a
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Paperwork Reduction Act
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure
to comply with, a collection of information subject to requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), unless that collection of
information displays a current valid Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) control number. This proposed rule contains a collection of
information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). In accordance with the PRA, this collection
of information will be submitted to OMB for approval. We estimate the
number of additional respondents to be 1,800 and estimate an additional
800 annual burden hours with this expanded data collection. Also, we
estimate that the time for the additional responses associated with
this data collection will be approximately 27 minutes. We will furnish
report forms to organizations included in the survey, and additional
copies will be available on written request to the Director, U.S.
Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-0101.
Dated: September 9, 2003.
Charles Louis Kincannon,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 03-23352 Filed 9-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P