Consumer Agency Selects 'Blocking Sale of Safety-Unverified Mask Patches' as Best Proactive Administration Case of 2021

Mask patch product examples.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] The Korea Consumer Agency announced on the 14th that it selected the "Blocking the Sale of Safety-Unverified Mask Patches" as the Best Active Administration Case of 2021 through a public participation vote.

Sellers of mask patches advertised these patch-type air fresheners, which are attached like stickers on the outside or inside of masks, as effective for relieving stuffy feelings or removing odors.

The blocking of sales of safety-unverified mask patches is a case where the sale of products distributed without safety verification, despite their potential direct impact on the human respiratory system, was stopped. In the vote participated by 8,207 citizens, 1,812 (22.1%) chose this case as the best.

The Consumer Agency issued corrective recommendations to businesses selling mask patches without safety verification to stop sales and comply with related standards. Collaborating with government ministries and related organizations, they inspected the implementation of these recommendations and linked administrative measures to non-compliant businesses, achieving the removal of safety-unverified mask patches from the market through proactive efforts.

Additionally, cases that received high public evaluation included the "Collective Relief for Victimized Consumers Due to Suspension of Online College Entrance Exam Education Content," which corrected unfair terms and refunded a total of 2.06 billion won in tuition fees to 54,000 consumers, and the "Improvement of Unreasonable Transaction Conditions at Fast Food Franchise Stores," which addressed the price structure charging differently for delivery and in-store food.

Jang Deokjin, President of the Korea Consumer Agency, stated, “We will do our best to become a public institution that provides high-quality services felt by the people by practicing active administration without being bound by conventions.”

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