Consumer Product Safety Commission

Agency

1. independent federal regulatory agency established in 1973 and charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury associated with consumer products. The CPSC, composed of five commissioners appointed by the president and approved by the Senate, works with industry to develop voluntary safety standards—and certain mandatory ones when voluntary efforts fail. It also works with state and local authorities to develop uniform standards; collects and disseminates data on the cause and prevention of consumer product injuries; requires manufacturers to certify that certain products conform to applicable safety standards; bans or requires the recall of products that violate certain hazard control standards; and enforces standards through administrative action or litigation.