5. Use of the Standards for Record Keeping and Reporting

A. STATISTICAL REPORTING

These standards shall be used for all Federally sponsored statistical data collections that include data on race and ethnicity. Any variation must be specifically authorized by the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) through the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) information collection approval process. In those cases where the data collection is not subject to the information collection clearance process, a direct request for a variance must be made to OIRA.

B. GENERAL PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE AND GRANT REPORTING

These standards shall be used for all Federal administrative reporting or record keeping requirements that include data on race and ethnicity. Agencies that cannot follow these standards must request a variance from OIRA. Variances will be considered if the agency can demonstrate that it is not reasonable for the primary reporter to determine race and ethnicity in terms of the specified minimum categories, or that the specific program is directed to only one or a limited number of races and ethnicities.

C. CIVIL RIGHTS AND OTHER COMPLIANCE REPORTING

These standards must be used by all Federal agencies for civil rights and other compliance reporting from the public and private sectors and all levels of government. Any variation requiring less detailed data or data which cannot be aggregated into the minimum categories must be specifically approved by OIRA.

Page Last Revised - June 12, 2024

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