The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is an independent federal regulatory agency that was
created in 1972 by Congress in the Consumer Product Safety Act. CPSC has jurisdiction over about 15,000 types of consumer products, from automatic-drip coffee makers to toys to lawn mowers. Some types of products, however, are covered by other federal agencies. For example, cars, trucks and motorcycles are covered by the Department of Transportation; drugs and cosmetics are covered by the Food and Drug Administration; alcohol, tobacco and firearms are covered by the Department of the Treasury. CPSC works to reduce the risk of injuries and deaths from consumer products by: developing voluntary standards with industry; issuing and enforcing mandatory standards: banning consumer products if no feasible standard would adequately protect the public; obtaining the recall of products or arranging for their repair; conducting research on potential product hazards; informing and educating consumers through the media, state and local governments, private organizations, and by responding to consumer inquiries.
Publications
As part of its mandate, CPSC publishes a variety of publications. These publications describe hazards associated with such products as children's toys and electrical products and ways to avoid these hazards. Descriptions of the laws and regulations CPSC administers are also available. To receive such information, consumers may write to CPSC, Washington, DC 20207.
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