Hazardous Substances Exceed Safety Standards by Seven Times in "Audi" Electric Ride-On Toy for Children

Korea Consumer Agency Tests Safety of Six Ride-On Toy Cars

Jungmotoy Plus "Audi R8" Control Button

Cadmium and Phthalate Plasticizers Exceed Safety Standards

Sales Suspension, Exchange, and Refund Recommended

Seller to Provide Free Replacement

The Korea Consumer Agency announced on April 28 that it had detected hazardous substances exceeding regulatory limits in some remote-controlled and pedal-operated electric ride-on toy cars for children. As a result, the agency recommended that sellers suspend sales of the affected products and offer exchanges or refunds.

Electric toy Audi R8 sold by Jungmotoe Plus. Provided by the Korea Consumer Agency.

After testing and evaluating the quality and safety of six electric ride-on toy cars currently available on the market, the agency found that the driving control button cover of the Audi R8 electric toy car sold by Jungmotoy Plus contained hazardous substances exceeding domestic safety standards. The substances detected were cadmium and phthalate plasticizers. The cadmium level was approximately 7.5 times higher than the safety standard (567 mg/kg vs. the limit of 75 mg/kg), and the phthalate plasticizer total exceeded the standard by about 5.9 times (0.59% vs. the limit of 0.1%).

According to the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency’s Material Safety Data Sheet, cadmium is a carcinogen that can be absorbed into the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, and may cause kidney and liver toxicity, yellowing of teeth, and reproductive dysfunction. Phthalate plasticizers are known to potentially cause skin hypersensitivity, airway irritation, and reproductive abnormalities.

The Korea Consumer Agency recommended that Jungmotoy Plus halt sales and offer exchanges or refunds for the product (or its parts). The company responded that it would comply, and plans to provide free replacement of the driving control button cover for previously sold units.

The products tested also included: the "3rd Generation Range Rover Evoque" from Daeho General Trading, the "Classic Electric Push Car" from Monster, the "Lamborghini V12 Vision Gran Turismo" from Bunny Land, the "Bentley Bacalar" from C2AM New, and the "Mercedes-Benz EQS" from Icarland Kids.

Results for key items showed that all six products allowed speed adjustment in one to three steps, with speeds ranging from 1.1 to 6.0 km/h, varying by product.

For driving time, the Lamborghini V12 Vision Gran Turismo recorded the longest duration at the lowest speed setting, lasting 3 hours and 13 minutes at 2.3 km/h, while the Audi R8 had the longest duration at the highest speed setting, lasting 1 hour and 40 minutes at 3.9 km/h.

In terms of driving noise at top speed, the 3rd Generation Range Rover Evoque, Classic Electric Push Car, and Audi R8 measured at a relatively favorable 68 to 69 dB(A), while the Lamborghini V12 Vision Gran Turismo recorded a moderate 74 dB(A). Additionally, all products met safety standards in physical safety tests, including appearance and structure, rollover, overload, braking, and reasonable misuse.

The products weighed between 12.9 kg and 17.3 kg, with the Classic Electric Push Car being the lightest. The 3rd Generation Range Rover Evoque was the smallest in size. The time required to fully recharge the battery after complete discharge ranged from 4.5 to 12 hours, with the 3rd Generation Range Rover Evoque requiring the shortest charging time.

The Korea Consumer Agency advises consumers to comprehensively consider speed, driving time, and noise when purchasing electric ride-on toys. It also recommends that children use these products under adult supervision and pay particular attention to preventing safety accidents such as collisions and falls.

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