82 FR 48789 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) Survey

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 202 (October 20, 2017)

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.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 202 (Friday, October 20, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48789-48790]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22814]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Manufacturers' 
Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) Survey

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before December 19, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Mary Catherine Potter, U.S. Census Bureau, 
Economic Indicators Division, 4600 Silver Hill Rd., Room 7K157, 
Washington, DC 20233-6913, (301) 763-4207 or via the Internet at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY 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 M3 survey requests 
data monthly from domestic manufacturers on form M-3 (SD). Data 
requested are shipments, new orders, unfilled orders, total inventory, 
materials and supplies, work-in-process, and finished goods.
    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

[[Page 48790]]

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, by 
calculating the inventories to sales ratio. In general, a low ratio 
indicates strong shipments. A high ratio indicates weaker shipments or 
accumulation of inventories in stock.
    We do not plan any changes to the M-3 (SD) form.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents may submit data on form M-3 (SD) via mail, or via the 
Internet. We send emails and make telephone calls to respondents to 
remind them to report on time.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0008.
    Form Number(s): M-3 (SD).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses, large and small, or other for profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 20,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Sections 131, 182, and 193.

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.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Lead, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-22814 Filed 10-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-07-P