[Federal Register: March 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 53)] [Notices] [Page 13541-13542] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr19mr99-28] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of the Census Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey; Proposed Collection; Comment Request ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 18, 1999. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th 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 Ronald Piencykoski, Bureau of the Census, Room 2626-FOB3, Washington, DC 20223-6500, at (301) 457-2779. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey provides the only continuous measure of monthly sales, end-of-month inventories, method of inventory valuation, and inventory/sales ratios in the United States by selected kinds of business for merchant wholesalers. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) uses this information to improve the inventory valuation adjustments applied to estimates of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses the data as input to their Producer Price Indexes and in developing productivity measurements. Estimates produced from the Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey are based on a probability sample. The sample design consists of one fixed panel where all cases are requested to report sales and inventories each month. We currently publish wholesale sales and inventory estimates on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) basis. Starting in the spring of 2001, we will publish on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) basis. The SIC definition of wholesale trade and the NAICS definition of wholesale trade are substantially different. The SIC defines wholesalers as establishments engaged in selling merchandise to other businesses. NAICS distinguishes wholesalers from retailers based on what the establishment does rather than to whom the establishment sells. Wholesalers are defined as those establishments that sell from offices or warehouses, usually in large quantities, advertise to businesses rather than to the general public, and generally have no walk-in traffic or formal displays. Businesses, formerly classified in wholesale trade, that sell to the general public are now classified as retail. NAICS provides a better way to classify individual businesses, and will be widely adopted throughout both the public and private sectors. NAICS will change the information that is currently available with reclassifications, definitional changes, and movement of activities in or out of wholesale trade. NAICS is more relevant as it identifies more industries that contribute to today's growing economy. NAICS was developed by the United States, Canada, [[Page 13542]] and Mexico to produce comparable data among the NAFTA partners. In addition to converting from the SIC to NAICS, the Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey will convert its monthly report form to a print- on demand system. This new system allows us to tailor the survey instrument to a specific industry. For example, it will print an additional instruction for a particular NAICS code. This system also reduces the time and cost of preparing mailout packages that contain unique variable data, while improving the look and quality of the products being produced. II. Method of Collection We collect this information by mail, fax, and telephone follow-up. III. Data OMB Number: 0607-0190. Form Number: B-310 (97). Type of Review: Regular Submission. Affected Public: Wholesale firms in the United States. Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,800. Estimated Time Per Response: 7 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,320. Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to the respondents for fiscal year 1999 is estimated to be $103,687 based on the mean hourly salary of $19.49 for accountants and auditors. (``Occupational Employment Statistics--Bureau of Labor Statistics 1997 National Occupational Employment and Wage Data Professional, Paraprofessional, and Technical Occupations,'' $19.49 represents the median hourly wage of the full- time wage and salary earnings of accountants and auditors). Information on mean wages and salaries can also be found at Internet site http:// stats.bls.gov/oes/national/oes__prof.htm. Respondent's Obligation: The collection of information is voluntary. Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 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 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: March 15, 1999. Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 99-6741 Filed 3-18-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P