This survey, representing firms
primarily engaged in merchant wholesale trade, provides the only
continuous measure of monthly wholesale sales, end-of-month
inventories, methods of inventory valuation, and stock/sales
ratios. The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the information on
methods of valuation and changes in the valuation methods to
improve the inventory valuation adjustments applied to estimates of
the gross domestic product.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.