RESPONSIBILITIES OF DESIGNATED STATISTICAL AGENCIES.

SEC. 523. RESPONSIBILITIES OF DESIGNATED STATISTICAL AGENCIES. The head of each of the Designated Statistical Agencies shall— (1) identify opportunities to eliminate duplication and otherwise reduce reporting burden and cost imposed on the public in providing information for statistical purposes; (2) enter into joint statistical projects to improve the quality and reduce the cost of statistical programs; and (3) protect the confidentiality of individually identifiable information acquired for statistical purposes by adhering to safeguard principles, including— (A) emphasizing to their officers, employees, and agents the importance of protecting the confidentiality of information in cases where the identity of individual respondents can reasonably be inferred by either direct or indirect means; (B) training their officers, employees, and agents in their legal obligations to protect the confidentiality of individually identifiable information and in the procedures that must be followed to provide access to such information; (C) implementing appropriate measures to assure the physical and electronic security of confidential data; (D) establishing a system of records that identifies individuals accessing confidential data and the project for which the data were required; and (E) being prepared to document their compliance with safeguard principles to other agencies authorized by law to monitor such compliance.