CPSC

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an independent U.S. federal agency dedicated to protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with consumer products. Created by the Consumer Product Safety Act of 1972, the CPSC develops safety standards, conducts testing and enforcement, and leads recall campaigns. It also collects injury data and provides consumer safety information to help reduce hazards.

The CPSC is governed by five commissioners appointed by the President with Senate confirmation; no more than three commissioners may belong to the same political party. The agency has authority to set and enforce safety standards, ban or recall dangerous products, require labeling or third‑party testing for certain items, and regulate imports of products under its jurisdiction. It can pursue civil penalties and seek injunctions to address violations.

Key activities include hazard identification through surveillance, research, and incident reporting; administering recalls and coordinating voluntary recalls with manufacturers; publishing safety guidance and recall notices; and maintaining consumer safety resources such as the SaferProducts.gov database, where the public can file and search for hazard reports. The CPSC collaborates with industry, laboratories, state and local governments, and other federal agencies to promote compliance and improve product safety.

Scope and limitations: the CPSC covers a broad range of consumer products but excludes items regulated primarily by other agencies, such as foods, drugs, and certain medical devices. Its overarching aim is to reduce injuries and fatalities associated with consumer products and to lessen related economic costs.