In the United States, the CPSC is an independent Federal regulatory agency, created by Congress in 1972, charged to "protect the public against unreasonable risks of injuries and deaths associated with consumer products." The CPSC has jurisdiction over 15,000 types of consumer products, from automatic-drip coffee makers to toys to lawn mowers.

Notable products outside of their jurisdiction include: cars, trucks and motorcycles, foods, drugs, alcohol, tobacco and firearms.