The Consumer Protection Program of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is responsible for increasing the protection of consumers and businesses by enforcing consumer protection laws and by maintaining accuracy compliance for regulated entities, devices, and products. The program consists of the Division of Agricultural Environmental Services and the Division of Consumer Services.
The Division of Agricultural Environmental Services administers various state and federal regulatory programs concerning environmental and consumer protection issues. These include state mosquito control program coordination; agricultural pesticide registration, testing, and regulation; pest control regulation; and feed, seed, and fertilizer inspection and testing. The division ensures that pesticides are properly registered and used in accordance with federal and state requirements; mosquito control programs are effectively conducted; and feed, seed, and fertilizer products are safe and effective.
The Division of Consumer Services is the state's clearinghouse for consumer complaints, information, and protection. The division regulates various businesses, such as motor vehicle repair shops, charitable organizations, pawnbrokers, health studios, sellers of travel, intrastate movers, professional surveyors and mappers, sweepstakes/game promotions, and telemarketers. In addition, the division protects consumers and businesses from unfair and unsafe business practices across a wide range of market sectors, including gasoline, brake fluid, antifreeze, liquefied petroleum gas, amusement rides, and weighing and measuring devices.