The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an independent federal regulatory agency that works to save lives and keep families safe by reducing the risk of injuries and deaths associated with consumer products.

The Directorate for Epidemiology helps CPSC fulfill this mission by collecting and analyzing data on injuries and deaths associated with consumer products and then disseminating the information. It is this information that helps CPSC determine when to take action on a product. There are two major divisions of the Directorate that carry out the tasks above:

• Data Systems - collects the data about consumer products and all injuries through a complementary mix of systems.
  
• Hazard Analysis - conducts statistical analyses of the data collected, runs epidemiological studies to estimate the numbers of injuries and deaths associated with various consumer products, and examines factors associated with these injuries and deaths.

The information and reports collected and produced by the Directorate for Epidemiology are available through the National Injury Information Clearinghouse.

• The Clearinghouse - disseminates the statistics and information collected relating to the prevention of death and injury associated with consumer products.

Together these groups are the eyes and ears of CPSC. To learn more about any of the areas select the appropriate button above.