CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

What is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission?

CPSC is an independent federal regulatory agency formed in 1972 with a mission to protect the public against unreasonable risks of injury or death from consumer products through education, safety standards activities, regulation, and enforcement. We are a small agency with a large mission, and we work to ensure the safety of consumers every day.

What does CPSC do?

We work to save lives and keep families safe by reducing the unreasonable risk of injuries and deaths associated with consumer products and fulfilling our vision to be the recognized global leader in consumer product safety. We do this by:

CPSC’s annual report, strategic plan and performance reports give detailed information about the agency’s priorities and work.

Developing voluntary standards with standards organizations, manufacturers and businesses;

Issuing and enforcing mandatory standards or banning consumer products if no feasible standard would adequately protect the public;

Obtaining the recall of products and arranging for a repair, replacement or refund for recalled products;

Researching potential product hazards; 

Informing and educating consumers directly and through traditional, online, and social media and by working with foreign, state and local governments and private organizations; and

Educating manufacturers worldwide about our regulations, supply chain integrity and development of safe products.