Who We Are - What We Do for You

Who We Are

We are the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 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 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; foods, 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 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.

How We Can Help

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

  • To report an unsafe consumer product or a product-related inquiry, call the CPSC toll-free Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or (800) 638-8270 for the hearing and speech impaired
  • To request a free copy of our publication listing, write to us at U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814

Access through the Internet

CPSC news releases, Public Calendar and other information can be obtained via the Internet from the agency's Web Site:
Agency staff may be contacted by e-mail at (if you know the name of the CPSC staff person to whom the message should be directed, please include the name at the beginning of your message). This address can also be used to request information from the agency.
The E-mail address for ordering hard copies of publications and publications not yet available on the web site (be sure to include mailing address and specify the publications desired): . Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814
CONSUMER HOTLINE
English/Spanish: (800) 638-2772
Hearing/Speech Impaired: (800) 638-8270