Notice of Availability of Producer Price Index (PPI) Data Users Survey, 76303-76304 [2012-31075]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 248 / Thursday, December 27, 2012 / Notices Springfield, Virginia 22152; and must be filed no later than January 28, 2013. This procedure is to be conducted simultaneously with, and independent of, the procedures described in 21 CFR 1301.34(b), (c), (d), (e), and (f). As noted in a previous notice published in the Federal Register on September 23, 1975, 40 FR 43745–46, all applicants for registration to import a basic class of any controlled substance in schedules I or II are, and will continue to be, required to demonstrate to the Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, that the requirements for such registration pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 958(a); 21 U.S.C. 823(a); and 21 CFR 1301.34(b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) are satisfied. Dated: December 20, 2012. Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration. [FR Doc. 2012–31157 Filed 12–26–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410–09–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Establishing Creditable Coverage Under Group Health Plans ACTION: Notice. The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ‘‘Establishing Creditable Coverage Under Group Health Plans,’’ to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). DATES: Submit comments on or before January 28, 2013. ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained from the RegInfo.gov Web site, https://www.reginfo.gov/ public/do/PRAMain, on the day following publication of this notice or by contacting Michel Smyth by telephone at 202–693–4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or sending an email to DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:53 Dec 26, 2012 Jkt 229001 Submit comments about this request to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL–EBSA, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, Fax: 202–395–6881 (this is not a toll-free number), email: OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Michel Smyth by telephone at 202–693–4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This ICR covers information collection requirements imposed under Regulations 29 CFR 2520.104b–1 and 2590.701–5 in connection with the alternative method of crediting coverage established by the regulations. The regulations permit a plan to adopt, as its method of crediting prior health coverage, provisions that impose different preexisting condition exclusion periods with respect to different categories of benefits, depending on prior coverage in that category. In such a case, the regulations require the former plan to provide additional information upon request to the new plan in order to establish an individual’s length of prior creditable coverage within that category of benefits. This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection under Control Number 1210–0103. The current approval is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2012 however, it should be noted that existing information collection requirements submitted to the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review. For additional information, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on June 25, 2012 (77 FR 37920). Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. In PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76303 order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1210– 0103. The OMB is particularly interested in comments that: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Agency: DOL–EBSA. Title of Collection: Establishing Creditable Coverage Under Group Health Plans. OMB Control Number: 1210–0103. Affected Public: Private Sector— businesses or other for-profits and notfor-profit institutions. Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,283,712. Total Estimated Number of Responses: 8,164,356. Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 74,000. Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $12,400,000. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D). Dated: December 19, 2012. Michel Smyth, Departmental Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2012–31055 Filed 12–26–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–29–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Notice of Availability of Producer Price Index (PPI) Data Users Survey AGENCY: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor. ACTION: Notice of availability of survey. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will conduct a survey via the internet of Producer Price Index (PPI) data users. The survey is necessary to: Identify PPI data users, see how they use our data, and note areas of potential SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM 27DEN1 76304 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 248 / Thursday, December 27, 2012 / Notices improvement to better meet our customer’s needs. BLS last conducted a survey of PPI data users in late 1976 through early 1977. Since that time, numerous new time series data have been introduced with the goal of fulfilling the needs of data users. This survey will help us determine if we are meeting those goals, highlight areas for improvement to existing data series, and identify areas for future expansion. DATES: The Producer Price Index (PPI) user survey will be accessible until April 30, 2013. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Joseph Kelley, Producer Price Index, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 3840, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE., Washington, DC 20212 or by email to: kelley.joseph@bls.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Kelley, Producer Price Index, Bureau of Labor Statistics, telephone number 202–691–7722 (this is not a tollfree number), or by email to: kelley.joseph@bls.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The survey can be accessed at the following link: https://www.research.net/s/ PPIUserSurveyFederalRegister or by going to the PPI homepage https:// www.bls.gov/ppi/ and using the link under ‘Announcements’. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with I. Background The Producer Price Index (PPI), one of the Nation’s leading economic indicators, is used as a measure of price movements, as an indicator of inflationary trends, for inventory valuation, and as a measure of purchasing power of the dollar at the primary-market level. It also is used for market and economic research and as a basis for escalation in long-term contracts and purchase agreements. Producer Price Index data provide a description of the magnitude and composition of price change within the economy, and serve a wide range of governmental needs. This family of indexes are closely followed, monthly statistics that are viewed as sensitive indicators of the economic environment. Price data are vital in helping both the President and Congress set fiscalspending targets. Producer prices are monitored by the Federal Reserve Board Open Market Committee to help decide Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, monetary policy. Federal policy-makers at the Department of Treasury and the Council of Economic Advisors utilize these statistics to help form and evaluate monetary and fiscal measures and to help interpret the general business environment. In addition, it is common to find one or more PPIs, alone or in combination with other measures, used to escalate the delivered price of goods for government purchases. In addition to governmental uses, PPI data are regularly put to use by the private sector. Private industry uses PPI data for contract escalation. For one particular method of tax-related Last-InFirst-Out (LIFO) inventory accounting, the Internal Revenue Service suggests that firms use PPI data for making calculations. Private businesses make extensive use of industrial-price data for planning and operations. Price trends are used to assess the condition of markets. Firms commonly compare the prices they pay for material inputs as well as prices they receive for products that they make and sell with changes in similar PPIs. Economic researchers and forecasters also put the PPI to regular use. PPIs are widely used to probe and measure the interaction of market forces. Some examples of research topics that require extensive price data include: The identification of varying price elasticities and the degree of cost passthrough in the economy, the identification of potential lead and lag structures among price changes, and the identification of prices which exert major impacts throughout market structures. members of performance review boards be published in the Federal Register. Therefore, in compliance with this requirement, notice is hereby given that the individuals whose names and position titles appear below have been appointed to serve as members of performance review boards in the National Labor Relations Board for the rating year beginning October 1, 2011 and ending September 30, 2012. Name and Title William B. Cowen—Solicitor. Kathleen A. Nixon—Deputy Chief Counsel to the Chairman. Gary W. Shinners—Deputy Executive Secretary. Robert Schiff—Executive Assistant to the Chairman. Barry J. Kearney—Associate General Counsel, Division of Advice. Anne G. Purcell—Associate General Counsel, Division of Operations Management. Linda Dreeben—Deputy Associate General Counsel, Division of Enforcement Litigation. John H. Ferguson—Associate General Counsel, Division of Enforcement Litigation. Washington, DC By Direction of the Board. Dated: December 20, 2012. Lester A. Heltzer, Executive Secretary. [FR Doc. 2012–31112 Filed 12–26–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P Signed at Washington, DC, this 20th day of December 2012. Eric P. Molina, Acting Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT [FR Doc. 2012–31075 Filed 12–26–12; 8:45 am] AGENCY: BILLING CODE 4510–24–P NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD Appointments of Individuals To Serve as Members of Performance Review Boards 5 U.S.C. 4314 (c) (4) requires that the appointments of individuals to serve as Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee; Open Committee Meetings U.S. Office of Personnel Management. ACTION: Notice of Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee Meeting Dates in 2013 According to the provisions of section 10 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463), notice is hereby given that meetings of the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee will be held on— SUMMARY: January 17, 2013 ............................................................................................................................. February 21, 2013 ........................................................................................................................... March 21, 2013 ................................................................................................................................ April 18, 2013 ................................................................................................................................... May 16, 2013 ................................................................................................................................... June 20, 2013 .................................................................................................................................. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:53 Dec 26, 2012 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM Thursday, July 18, 2013. Thursday, August 15, 2013. Thursday, September 19, 2013. Thursday October 17, 2013. Thursday, November 21, 2013. Thursday, December 19, 2013. 27DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 248 (Thursday, December 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76303-76304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31075]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Notice of Availability of Producer Price Index (PPI) Data Users 
Survey

AGENCY: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of availability of survey.

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will conduct a survey via 
the internet of Producer Price Index (PPI) data users. The survey is 
necessary to: Identify PPI data users, see how they use our data, and 
note areas of potential

[[Page 76304]]

improvement to better meet our customer's needs. BLS last conducted a 
survey of PPI data users in late 1976 through early 1977. Since that 
time, numerous new time series data have been introduced with the goal 
of fulfilling the needs of data users. This survey will help us 
determine if we are meeting those goals, highlight areas for 
improvement to existing data series, and identify areas for future 
expansion.

DATES: The Producer Price Index (PPI) user survey will be accessible 
until April 30, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Joseph Kelley, Producer Price Index, Bureau 
of Labor Statistics, Room 3840, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE., Washington, 
DC 20212 or by email to: kelley.joseph@bls.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Kelley, Producer Price Index, 
Bureau of Labor Statistics, telephone number 202-691-7722 (this is not 
a toll-free number), or by email to: kelley.joseph@bls.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The survey can be accessed at the following 
link: https://www.research.net/s/PPIUserSurveyFederalRegister or by 
going to the PPI homepage https://www.bls.gov/ppi/ and using the link 
under `Announcements'.

I. Background

    The Producer Price Index (PPI), one of the Nation's leading 
economic indicators, is used as a measure of price movements, as an 
indicator of inflationary trends, for inventory valuation, and as a 
measure of purchasing power of the dollar at the primary-market level. 
It also is used for market and economic research and as a basis for 
escalation in long-term contracts and purchase agreements.
    Producer Price Index data provide a description of the magnitude 
and composition of price change within the economy, and serve a wide 
range of governmental needs. This family of indexes are closely 
followed, monthly statistics that are viewed as sensitive indicators of 
the economic environment. Price data are vital in helping both the 
President and Congress set fiscal-spending targets. Producer prices are 
monitored by the Federal Reserve Board Open Market Committee to help 
decide monetary policy. Federal policy-makers at the Department of 
Treasury and the Council of Economic Advisors utilize these statistics 
to help form and evaluate monetary and fiscal measures and to help 
interpret the general business environment. In addition, it is common 
to find one or more PPIs, alone or in combination with other measures, 
used to escalate the delivered price of goods for government purchases.
    In addition to governmental uses, PPI data are regularly put to use 
by the private sector. Private industry uses PPI data for contract 
escalation. For one particular method of tax-related Last-In-First-Out 
(LIFO) inventory accounting, the Internal Revenue Service suggests that 
firms use PPI data for making calculations. Private businesses make 
extensive use of industrial-price data for planning and operations. 
Price trends are used to assess the condition of markets. Firms 
commonly compare the prices they pay for material inputs as well as 
prices they receive for products that they make and sell with changes 
in similar PPIs.
    Economic researchers and forecasters also put the PPI to regular 
use. PPIs are widely used to probe and measure the interaction of 
market forces. Some examples of research topics that require extensive 
price data include: The identification of varying price elasticities 
and the degree of cost pass-through in the economy, the identification 
of potential lead and lag structures among price changes, and the 
identification of prices which exert major impacts throughout market 
structures.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 20th day of December 2012.
Eric P. Molina,
Acting Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics.
[FR Doc. 2012-31075 Filed 12-26-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P

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