The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an independent regulatory agency, created in 1972 by Congress in the Consumer Product Safety Act. The CPSC is headed by three Commissioners appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The CPSC has jurisdiction over about 15,000 types of consumer products, including beds, mattresses, chairs, floor coverings, light fixtures, bathtubs, showers and appliances.

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.