2024-04-08 19:47:10
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 8th that as a result of a safety investigation of 31 products sold on Ali Express, possible human carcinogens were detected in some products exceeding the standard by up to 56 times.
Based on this, the city decided to promote the ‘Seoul City Overseas Online Platform Consumer Safety Measures’, which focuses on regular safety inspections of products purchased directly from overseas.
Last month, the Seoul Metropolitan Government confirmed that out of 31 products sold on Ali Express, harmful substances significantly exceeding the permitted standards were detected in 8 children’s products, and that a large number of products that did not meet physical safety requirements such as durability were being distributed.
The safety investigation was conducted on a total of 31 products, including 19 children’s products (8 items), which ranked at the top in sales, and 12 household items (3 items) such as household textile products. Items such as chemical detection and durability (mechanical and physical properties) were tested.
The products that exceeded the standards and were judged unsuitable were 8 items: △children’s water play tube △walker △wooden magnetic fishing toy △teethor (candy shape) △teethor (banana shape) △character pencil △eraser pencil △children’s leather bag.
In children’s leather bags, ‘phthalate plasticizer’ was detected at a level of 55.6 times the standard level. Phthalate plasticizers, which are substances used when processing plastics, are toxic to reproduction, including causing infertility, and among them, DEHP (diethylhexyl phthalate) is a possible human carcinogen (grade 2B) designated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. A total of 4 types (DEHP, DBP, DINP, DIBP) were detected in the leather bag.
Phthalate plasticizers exceeding 33 times the standard level were detected in children’s water play products (tubes). The thickness of the product was 0.19 mm, which was thinner than the domestic standard of 0.25 mm, so the risk was high.
In addition, phthalate plasticizers were also detected in two pencils (DEHP 33 to 35 times) and a wooden magnetic fishing toy (DBP 2.2 times).
Toys that come into direct contact with infants’ mouths or skin also had many physical defects, such as durability. First, as a result of an examination of teething devices (two types) used in the mouth by infants who are starting to grow teeth, the design and shape were highly likely to block the airway and were easily damaged by even a small amount of force, raising the risk of suffocation. The walker had a risk of cuts or punctures in the product and a risk of falling.
The city of Seoul is promoting protective measures such as intensive investigation into the harmfulness of products sold on overseas online platforms and consumer damage relief.
A regular safety inspection system is operated centered on China’s representative online platform called ‘Altesh’ (Ali, Temu, Xuyin). Starting from the last week of this month, weekly test results will be disclosed to citizens to prevent damage.
In addition, we operate a ‘consumer damage reporting center’ for products purchased directly from overseas. In addition to providing damage consultation and guidance on relief measures, if necessary, we establish a cooperation system with central ministries such as the Korea Consumer Agency. In order to quickly provide relief to consumers, we also maintain leading overseas online platforms and hotlines.
Reporter Kim Jeong-hyun photo provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government
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2024-04-08 19:47:10