The CPSC is an independent federal regulatory commission that sets safety standards, issues and coordinates recalls, and can ban hazardous consumer products. It oversees thousands of product categories used in and around homes, schools, and recreation, but not items regulated by other agencies such as food, drugs, cars, or firearms.
Created by Congress under the Consumer Product Safety Act (Pub. L. 92-573; 15 U.S.C. 2053), it acts within the authority that statute grants. Its actions are subject to judicial review and to congressional oversight and funding.
