Seoul city requested the suspension of sales on the relevant online platforms for 10 non-compliant products based on the recent inspection results.
Lead was detected in children's key rings sold on overseas direct purchase platforms,
at levels 549 times higher than the domestic standard.
Seoul City announced on the 26th that a safety inspection of 29 products including children's stationery, transitional season clothing, and miscellaneous goods sold on Chinese platforms Aliexpress, Temu, and Shein (Al·Te·Swi) found 10 products did not meet the domestic safety standards announced by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. On the same day, a Seoul city official was seen examining the products at Seoul City Hall. Yonhap News
원본보기 아이콘Ahead of the new school term, the Seoul Metropolitan Government
conducted safety inspections on 29 children's stationery items and related products
sold on Chinese platforms Aliexpress, Temu, and Shein.
On March 26, the city announced that 10 of these products failed to meet domestic safety standards.
The non-compliant items included six types of stationery, two types of bags, and two other toys.
Lead was detected in a children's keyring sold on an overseas direct purchase platform at 549 times the domestic standard. Yonhap News Agency
원본보기 아이콘In particular, the bell-shaped part attached to a children's key ring
contained lead at a level 549 times higher than the domestic standard.
Crayons, two types of pencil cases, recorders, and melodicas
— a total of five children's stationery products —
also showed high concentrations of hazardous substances such as phthalate-based plasticizers, lead, and cadmium.
On the outer leather and transparent plastic of some pencil cases,
phthalate-based plasticizers were detected in excess of the standard.
In one recorder case,
phthalate-based plasticizers were found at 309.9 times the domestic standard.
Phthalate-based plasticizers
are chemicals that can disrupt the endocrine system and negatively affect reproductive function, including causing infertility.
On the zippers and fabric of pencil cases and melodicas,
lead was detected at up to 17.4 times the standard limit.
Cadmium was also found in melodica cases at nine times the standard level.
The pH value of the outer material also exceeded acceptable limits.
In pencil sharpeners, sharp edges (blade corners) were exposed in areas easily touched by children,
failing to meet physical safety standards.
In two children's backpacks,
hazardous substances such as phthalate-based plasticizers and lead were detected.
On the character leather on the front of the backpack,
phthalate-based plasticizers were detected at 75.9 times the permitted level,
and in the zipper and drawstring, lead and cadmium were detected at 8.2 times and 1.2 times the standard, respectively.
In children's stickers,
phthalate-based plasticizers and cadmium were detected at 55.1 times and 6.4 times the respective standards.
In May, the city plans to conduct safety inspections on children's raincoats and umbrellas, rain ponchos, and summer textile products sold on overseas online platforms.
As the new school term approaches and demand for children's school supplies increases, the city urged consumers to verify whether products meet safety standards when purchasing from overseas direct imports.
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