Skip to main content

Who We Are - What We Do for You

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. In that law, Congress directed the Commission to "protect the public against unreasonable risks of injuries and deaths associated with consumer products."

We have jurisdiction over thousands of types of consumer products, from 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; food, drugs and cosmetics are covered by the Food and Drug Administration; and alcohol, tobacco and firearms are within the jurisdiction of the Department of the Treasury.

What We Do

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 standard would adequately protect the public
  • obtaining the recall of products and arranging for their repair, replacement or a refund
  • 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.

How We Can Help

If you've had a safety problem with a consumer product, here's how to get in touch with us:

  • To report an unsafe consumer product to CPSC online, visit www.SaferProducts.gov, or call CPSC’s toll-free Hotline at (800) 638-2772, or (301) 595-7054 for the hearing and speech impaired.
  • See a list of free CPSC safety guides. Print out safety guides on your printer. Many can be ordered. To order copies of safety guides, send an email to info@cpsc.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772.
  • Visit CPSC’s Information Centers for product safety information.
  • For questions related to consumer product safety, email CPSC at info@cpsc.gov or write to us at U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Report an unsafe product