Labeling and performance standards for product safety: the case of CPSC's lawn mower standards

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (PCSC) developed the regulatory standards of production for walk-behind power mowers to prevent injuries involving the equipment. It took the PCSC about nine years to complete the regulation process, which became highly publicized and controversial. The regulatory control, which stopped the blades within three seconds upon release, reduced the incidence of injuries. However, the labelling requirement did not have any measurable effect.