2024-04-30 04:28:26
The Korea Customs Service announced on the 30th that as a result of analyzing the ingredients of 252 children’s products sold at ultra-low prices on Chinese overseas direct purchase platforms such as AliExpress and Temu, harmful ingredients exceeding domestic safety standards by up to 3,026 times were detected in 38 of them. .
Of the 38 products in which harmful ingredients were detected, phthalate plasticizers were detected at up to 82 times the standard value in 27 points, cadmium at up to 3026 times the standard value at 6 points, and lead at up to 270 times the standard value at 5 points. .
Phthalate plasticizers are representative environmental hormones (endocrine disruptors) that can cause endocrine disorders when in contact with the body for a long period of time. In particular, they can inhibit reproductive function or physical growth, so their use in children’s products is strictly restricted.
Cadmium is highly toxic and is a class 1 carcinogen designated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and lead can cause diseases of the renal, central nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems when poisoned.
Looking at item types, phthalate plasticizers were detected most frequently in shoes, school supplies, and toys, while heavy metals (lead, cadmium) were mainly detected in accessories such as rings and bracelets, bags, and headbands.
There is a clear difference in the safety test results of officially imported products and products purchased directly from overseas.
As a result of the Korea Customs Service analyzing the composition of 75 children’s products that importers meet the import requirements (safety standards, etc.) for one year in 2023, harmful ingredients exceeding the standard were detected in only one product (1.3%). In this analysis, 252 children’s products purchased directly from overseas that can be imported without meeting import requirements were checked, and harmful ingredients exceeding the standard were detected in 38 products, or 15%.
However, this is a result of confirming only harmful ingredients (phthalate plasticizers, heavy metals) that can be identified using analysis equipment owned by the Incheon Customs Analysis Laboratory, and does not mean that the remaining 85% of products are safe from other harmful substances.
In the future, the Korea Customs Service plans to strengthen customs clearance management to prevent such products from being brought into the country and continue to conduct component analysis to confirm the safety of products that are closely related to people’s lives and are imported through overseas direct purchase.
Detailed information on the 38 products in which harmful ingredients were detected can be found on the Korea Customs Service website. If you are trying to purchase children’s products from an overseas direct purchase platform, you need to carefully check the product list.
Reporter Kim Jeong-hyun photo provided by the Korea Customs Service
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2024-04-30 04:28:26