In the U.S., the CPSC is responsible for protecting consumers from certain types of defective products. The Consumer Protection Safety Act established the CPSC in 1972, giving the agency the authority to issue recalls and ban products. The purpose of the Act is to:nn Protect the public against unreasonable risks of injury associated with consumer productsn Make it easier for consumers to evaluate the safety of consumer productsn Establish uniform safety standards for productsn Promote research and investigation into the causes and prevention of product-related deaths, illnesses, and injuriesnnThe CPSC maintains a database of recalled and banned products, and compiles statistics about injuries and deaths due to defective products. According to the CPSC, fatalities, injuries, and property damage due to defective consumer products cost Americans more than $1 trillion each year. Consumers have the right to report a product they believe to be defective. However, the CPSC is under no obligation to investigate an individual complaint. The CPSC covers many types of products—including toys, swimming pools, furniture, appliances, electronics, chemicals, and much more—but does not have authority over automobiles, boats, firearms, cosmetics, and medical devices.