Seoul City Reports Dangerous Levels of Harmful Substances in Christmas Toys from Chinese Platforms

On December 20, 2024, the city of Seoul announced the results of safety inspections conducted on Christmas-themed toys and decorations sold on Chinese online platforms such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress. Out of 15 products tested, six were deemed unsafe, with some containing harmful substances exceeding domestic safety standards by alarming margins. Notably, two Santa Claus-themed toys from AliExpress were found to have phthalate plasticizers (DEHP, DBP, DINP) at levels up to 215 times higher than allowed, and lead levels exceeding the standard by up to 11 times.

Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors that can negatively affect reproductive health, leading to issues such as reduced sperm count, infertility, and preterm birth. DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Lead exposure above safety limits can harm reproductive functions and increase cancer risk. During pregnancy, it can affect brain development and lead to learning and behavioral problems in children.

Among the unsafe toys, four failed physical safety tests, with one sticker product shedding small parts during testing, which lacked appropriate warning labels. Additionally, three bead toys were found to have sharp edges, posing injury risks to children.

Since April, Seoul has been conducting bi-monthly safety inspections on products from overseas direct purchase platforms that have a significant user base in South Korea. The city plans to continue these inspections to ensure safe consumer practices, taking into account seasonal purchasing trends and consumer concerns regarding children's products from abroad.