[Federal Register: January 30, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 20)]
[Notices]
[Page 4487-4488]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30ja04-22]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
[Docket Number 030829216-4023-02]
RIN 0607-AA40
Annual Trade Survey
AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is expanding the 2003
Annual Trade Survey (ATS) to include manufacturers' sales branches and
offices (MSBO). The Census Bureau makes 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 important inputs to BEA's
preparation of National Income and Product accounts and its annual
input-output tables.
DATES: The Census Bureau adopts the expanded ATS as of January 30,
2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Trimble, Chief, Annual Trade and
Special Projects Branch, Service Sector Statistics Division, at (301)
763-7223 or by e-mail at John Trimble@census.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Census Bureau is authorized to take
surveys necessary to furnish current data on the subjects covered by
the major censuses authorized by Title 13, United States Code (U.S.C.),
sections 182, 224, and 225. The expanded ATS will provide continuing
and timely national statistical data on MSBO for the period between the
five year economic censuses. These data ensure a sound statistical
basis for the formation of policy by various government agencies. They
also apply to a variety of public and business needs. These data are
not available publicly on a timely basis from nongovernmental or other
governmental sources.
On September 15, 2003 (68 FR 53959), the Census Bureau published in
the Federal Register a notice and request for comment on the expansion
of the ATS. We did not receive any comments on that notice.
Accordingly, the Census Bureau is adopting without change, its proposal
to include manufacturers' sales and offices in the 2003 Annual Trade
Survey.
The previous ATS collected data only for merchant wholesalers. This
new, expanded survey includes 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 covers 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 previous
ATS sample.
Beginning with the survey year 2003, the goal is 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 Census Bureau, BEA, and
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 factual basis for
this certification was published in the proposed rule. No comments were
received regarding the economic impact of this rule. As a result, no
final regulatory flexibility analysis was prepared.
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. In accordance with the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et
seq.), OMB approved on January 9, 2004, with control number 0607-0195,
the collection of all information associated with this rule. We
estimate the number of additional respondents to be 1,600 and estimate
an additional 713 annual burden hours with this expanded data
collection. Also, we
[[Page 4488]]
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: January 26, 2004.
Charles Louis Kincannon,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 04-1979 Filed 1-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P