U.S. Commerce Considers Amending Industrial Census Process

The U.S. Department of Commerce is requesting comments on its Current Industrial Reports series process and procedures. The U.S. Census Bureau produces a series of studies, the Current Industrial Reports (CIR), which include not only manufacturing but also import / export activity. Report MA332Q is the one which covers the Antifriction Bearings industry in the U.S. CIR reports are based on monthly, quarterly, and annual survey periods. They deal mainly with the quantity and value of shipments of particular products. On occasion, the surveys also include data about production, inventory, backorders, order receipts, finished goods and raw materials inventory, productivity, and with parallel analyses of overall domestic production, exports and imports. Commerce said these surveys provide continuing and timely statistical data on U.S. manufacturing. Individual companies, trade associations, and market analysts use the survey results in various planning processes and developing marketing and legislative strategies. The manufacturing census program includes both mandatory and voluntary surveys. The monthly and quarterly surveys are usually voluntary, while the annual surveys are mandatory. Because the CIR program encompasses such a large number of surveys, Commerce divides them into so-called "Waves." One Wave is resubmitted for clearance each year. In 2006, the Census Bureau will submit mandatory and voluntary surveys of Wave I: • MA311D -- Confectionery • MA325F -- Paint and Allied Products • MA327C -- Refractories • MA331B -- Steel Mill Products • MA332Q -- Antifriction Bearings • MA333A -- Farm Machinery • MA333M -- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration • MA333N -- Fluid Power Products • MA335F -- Major Household Appliances • MA335K -- Wiring Devices and Supplies • MQ325B -- Fertilizer Materials • MQ327D -- Clay Construction Products • MQ315B -- Socks MA -- Manufacturing census with Annual reporting requirements MQ -- Manufacturing census with Quarterly and mandatory Annual counterparts All together, the Wave I surveys encompass approximately 4,700 companies. The way the surveys are conducted is the Census Bureau mails them out, companies complete the forms, and mail them back. Monthly report forms are due within 10 days, quarterlies within 15 days, and annuals within 30 days. Companies which do not respond within the allotted time are contacted. The Census Bureau has officially estimated the Time Per Response as 1.3497 hours, otherwise known as 1 hour, 20 minutes, 58.9 seconds. Census has also estimated the total estimated cost burden across all 4,700 companies is $115,667. Specifically, Commerce is inviting your comments 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 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. Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be submitted to: Mendel D. Gayle, Assistant Chief for Census and Related Programs Census Bureau, Manufacturing and Construction Division Room 2102A, Building #4 Washington, DC 20233 or via the Internet at Mendel.D.Gayle@census.gov Your comments must be received no later than May 1, 2006. Submit your comments to: Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer Department of Commerce, Room 6625 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20230 or via the Internet at DHynek@doc.gov