Seoul Orders Temu AliExpress Halt Children’s Product Sales Due to Hazardous Substances

The Seoul city government has taken a firm stance on product safety, requesting that online retail giants Temu and AliExpress halt the sale of certain children’s products due to concerns over hazardous substances. The city government conducted an inspection of 35 children’s items, including umbrellas, raincoats, and rain boots, sold on these platforms. The findings revealed that 11 of these products did not meet South Korea’s safety standards or contained hazardous substances exceeding local limits.

The inspection uncovered alarming levels of phthalate-based plasticizers in six of the umbrellas, with concentrations far surpassing safety standards. Some products exceeded the domestic safety limit by up to 443.5 times for this chemical. Additionally, two items were found to contain lead at levels up to 27.7 times higher than the acceptable limit. These hazardous substances pose significant health risks, including endocrine disorders and increased cancer risk, according to Seoul authorities.

In response to these findings, the Seoul city government has formally requested that Temu and AliExpress suspend the sale of these non-compliant products. The government emphasized the importance of careful review of product information before making purchases, highlighting the potential long-term health impacts on children from prolonged exposure to harmful substances. Temu and AliExpress have not yet responded to these requests, and the government clarified that the retailers are not legally obligated to comply.

This action by the Seoul city government is part of a broader trend of increased scrutiny over the business practices and product safety of Chinese e-commerce giants. These companies, including Shein, Temu, and AliExpress, have gained global popularity by offering trendy, low-cost fashion and accessories, positioning themselves as major competitors to U.S. retail giant Amazon. However, their rapid rise has drawn attention to potential safety issues, particularly in regions like South Korea.

Last year, the Seoul city government reported that women’s accessories sold by Shein, AliExpress, and Temu contained toxic substances at levels sometimes hundreds of times above acceptable limits. This ongoing concern underscores the need for stricter regulations and oversight to ensure the safety of products sold through these platforms. The European Union has also taken steps to address these issues, adding Shein to its list of digital firms subject to stricter safety rules, including measures to protect customers from unsafe products, especially those that could be harmful to minors.