FEDERAL PROTECTION AGENCIES Objective: 2.01 Analyze government's role in consumer protection and how it affects consumers’ rights.

CONSUMER INFORMATION CENTER Provides information on government publications on topics of interest to consumers.

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Promote safety from unreasonable risk of injury from products; sets safety requirements; tests products; conducts research and education programs.

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE Enforces laws against fraud by mail; acts on complaints from individuals; helps consumers recover money lost through mail fraud schemes; provides information on common mail fraud schemes.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION Sets and maintains purity and safety standards for foods, drugs, and cosmetics; researches the contents of new health and drug products; inspects food and health aide plants; ensures accurate labeling; removes unsafe products from the market.

DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of this group. They are responsible for setting requirements for motor vehicle safety, maintenance, and fuel economy; testing vehicles and other automobile products for compliance with laws; conducts research on ways to save fuel and increase highway safety; investigates consumer complaints about vehicle safety.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Works with businesses to reduce pollution and make our environment healthier.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA’s Mission is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.

U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission The mission of the U.S. SEC is to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation.

SEC Responsibilities: interpret federal securities laws issue new rules and amend existing rules oversee the inspection of securities firms, brokers, investment advisers, and ratings agencies oversee private regulatory organizations in the securities, accounting, and auditing fields coordinate U.S. securities regulation with federal, state, and foreign authorities.

Attorney General The Attorney General represents the U.S. in legal matters generally and gives advice and opinions to the President and to the heads of the executive departments of the Government when so requested. Acting Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr.

US Dept. of Agriculture USDA specializes in information about food—judging quality, buying wisely, improving buying practices, planning meals, improving nutrition, and other farm- and home-related topics. Also inspects and grades foods and makes that information available to consumers in the form of a grade.

Federal Trade Commission The purpose of the FTC is to prevent unfair methods of competition in commerce; to police anticompetitive practices; and to administer a wide variety of other consumer protection laws, including the Telemarketing Sales Rule, the Pay-Per-Call Rule and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.