In a recent investigation, Seoul City discovered that some children’s clothing sold on Chinese online platforms contained harmful substances exceeding South Korean safety standards.
On Friday, Seoul City announced the results of safety inspections conducted on 26 winter textile products for children and infants available on overseas online platforms. Seven products contained harmful substances such as phthalate-based plasticizers, lead, and cadmium above domestic limits or failed physical tests.
The inspection focused on 26 winter textile items—17 for children and 9 for infants—sold on popular platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress. Seoul City tested for harmful chemicals and assessed durability through mechanical and physical tests.
Of the 17 children’s textile products, three items—a jumpsuit, a jacket, and a pair of shoes—were found to contain harmful substances such as phthalate-based plasticizers, lead, cadmium, and incorrect pH levels, in amounts exceeding domestic standards.
The winter jacket was a particularly concerning find. It contained phthalate-based plasticizer (DEHP) at levels 622 times higher than the domestic safety standard, while lead and cadmium levels were 3.6 and 3.4 times above the limit. The jacket also failed a physical test, with its decorative loop exceeding the 7.5 cm safety standard, posing a potential risk to children.
The jumpsuit wasn’t far behind in safety concerns. It showed phthalate-based plasticizers (DEHP, DBP) at levels 294 times above the domestic standard, with a pH of 7.8, outside the acceptable range of 4.0-7.5. The children’s shoes contained lead five times higher than the domestic standard, failing the safety test.
Among the nine infant textile products, four items—a space suit, a pair of overalls, a dress, and a shawl/jacket—were found unsafe. The infant space suit contained phthalate-based plasticizers (DEHP) at 3.5 times the standard level, while the overalls showed lead content up to 19.12 times the domestic limit in three different areas. The infant dress and shawl/jacket failed physical tests due to decorative cords exceeding the 7.5 cm safety standard.
Seoul City plans to continue these safety inspections on popular overseas platforms, focusing on seasonal demands and consumer issues to minimize safety risks. Next month, they plan on turning their attention to Christmas decorations and toys, anticipating increased holiday shopping.
Consumers can access the safety inspection results anytime on the Seoul City or Seoul City E-commerce Center’s websites. For complaints or concerns about overseas online platforms, contact the Seoul City E-commerce Center hotline or visit their website online.
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