Daily Reports
Children's products sold in South Korea by Chinese online shopping giant Shein have been found to contain toxic substances at levels hundreds of times above acceptable thresholds, according to Seoul city authorities. In recent years, Shein, which is based in Singapore, has gained popularity for offering a vast selection of fashionable clothing and accessories at low prices. This significant growth has led to increased scrutiny of its business practices and safety standards, particularly in the European Union and South Korea.
Recent inspections by the Seoul Metropolitan Government revealed that eight Shein products, including children's shoes, leather bags, and a belt, contained alarming levels of phthalates, chemicals known to soften plastics. One pair of shoes was found to have 428 times the permitted levels of phthalates, while three bags had quantities up to 153 times the limit. Phthalates have been associated with hormonal disruptions, obesity, heart disease, certain cancers, and fertility problems. A city official requested the removal of these harmful products from sale. Shein has pledged to address the issue, stating that they take product safety seriously and immediately remove any non-compliant items upon receiving complaints.
In addition to phthalates, the inspections uncovered other harmful chemicals. Excessive amounts of formaldehyde were detected in children's leather bags and shoes. Heavy metal content, including lead, also exceeded safety standards in some products. Specifically, formaldehyde levels in the insole of a child’s shoe were found to be 1.8 times higher than acceptable levels, and lead in children's leather belts was detected at 1.78 times the standard limit.
Overall, Seoul authorities inspected a total of 93 products since April, with nearly half found to contain toxic substances. Beyond phthalates, prohibited preservatives such as CMIT and MIT, heavy metals like lead and nickel, and other hazardous chemicals were also detected. The most frequently found harmful ingredient was phthalate plasticizer, which was present in 25 products, including toys, school supplies, and accessories. These inspections are part of a broader effort to ensure product safety on overseas online platforms.
- The Seoul Metropolitan Government's safety investigation revealed a high prevalence of harmful ingredients. Despite the swift removal of non-compliant products upon detection, the issue underlines the importance of stringent safety measures. To further protect consumers, the Seoul government plans to expand its safety inspection efforts to include food containers, sanitary products, DIY furniture, children's play equipment, and cosmetics.
- In July, there will be a concentrated effort on inspecting water play equipment. The government has also signed a business agreement with three safety certification agencies to develop a systematic quality and safety inspection system for overseas online purchases. For products found to be harmful, there will be steps taken to cease their sale and block access, both domestically and internationally.
- In response to these findings, Song Ho-jae, the Director of Labor, Fairness, and Coexistence Policy at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated that since the inception of the inspections in April, various measures have been pursued to protect citizens. He emphasized the importance of expanding the scope of these safety inspections and establishing robust public-private cooperation systems to ensure the safety of all consumers.
