"They Said to Use It for Rain or Shine, but It Was Full of Lead"

Seoul City Conducts Safety Inspections on Children's Products
"Excessive Lead Detected" in Children's Umbrellas and Raincoats Purchased Overseas from Aliexpress, Temu, and Shein
10 Out of 32 Products Found Non-Compliant... "Sales Suspension Requested"
Toys Also Fail Safety Standards, Raising Accident Concerns

Lead and phthalate-based plasticizers were detected at levels exceeding the standards in children's umbrellas and raincoats sold on Chinese direct purchase sites. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has requested the respective platforms to suspend sales of these products.

On May 28, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it had conducted safety inspections on 32 children's products sold on overseas online platforms (Aliexpress, Temu, and Shein) in response to increased summer demand for children's items. As a result, 10 products were found to be non-compliant with Korean safety standards.

Photo of a non-compliant product from safety inspection. Korea Conformity Laboratories and others

Among the products inspected, four children's umbrellas and parasols were found to violate safety standards. In two products, lead was detected in the rib fastener and button fixing pin at 1.1 times and 5.8 times the Korean standard, respectively. Three parasols failed to meet the physical safety standards for the tip ribs and covers (end parts).

Some products had tips that were sharp or had diameters as small as 1.6 mm, which is below the standard (minimum 2 mm). The covers were also easily detachable or not in the required sphere or hemisphere shape, raising concerns about potential cutting or stabbing injuries during use.

In one children's raincoat, phthalate-based plasticizers were detected in the zipper reinforcement at 3.6 times the allowable limit. Phthalate-based plasticizers are substances that can disrupt the endocrine system and affect reproductive functions.

Another raincoat was found to have a hood drawstring that was not stitched in place, with prohibited cords and decorations attached to the ends, which are banned in children's clothing due to accident risks.

For children's apparel accessories, two products did not meet the standards. The pH level of these products was 9.0 or higher, exceeding the standard range (4.0–7.5), and one product contained nonylphenol, an endocrine disruptor, at 4.3 times the standard limit.

Two toy products were also found non-compliant. A keycap keychain had lead detected in the ring at 1.7 times above the standard, and a wooden toy had sharp ends, raising safety concerns.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has requested that the 10 non-compliant products be withdrawn from sale on the respective overseas online platforms. The city also urged citizens to carefully check whether overseas direct purchase products comply with Korean safety standards before making a purchase.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.