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, Washington, D.C.
20207
- For additional information, contact our nearest field office
(see the following list)
Field Offices
U.S. CPSC Western Regional Center
1301 Clay Street, Suite 610 N
Oakland, CA 94612
Tele. (510) 637-4050
Fax: (510) 637-4060
Locations
Albuquerque, Dallas, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Little Rock,
Los Angeles, New Orleans, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, Seattle
U.S. CPSC Central Regional Center
230 South Dearborn Street, Room 2944
Chicago, IL 60604-1601
(312) 353-8260
Locations
Atlanta, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis,
Kansas City, Memphis, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Twin Cities
U.S. CPSC Eastern Regional Center
201 Varick Street, Room 903
New York, NY 10014-4811
Tele. (212) 620-4120
Fax: (212) 620-5388
Locations
Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Charleston, Charlotte, Ft.
Lauderdale, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Trenton,
Washington, D.C. Area
Access Through the Internet
CPSC news releases, Public Calendar and other information
can be obtained via the Internet from the agency's Web Site:
www.cpsc.gov
Agency staff may be contacted by e-mail at info@cpsc.gov (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): publications@cpsc.gov. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.
Who We Are, What We Do, How We Can Help
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington, DC 20207
CONSUMER HOTLINE
English/Spanish: (800) 638-2772
Hearing/Speech Impaired: (800) 638-8270