Overview

• Inspectors tested umbrellas, raincoats and rain boots from Temu and AliExpress and found that 11 of 35 items violated South Korea’s safety standards.
• Phthalate-based plasticisers in some umbrellas exceeded legal limits by up to 443.5 times while two items contained lead at levels nearly 28 times above the permissible amount.
• Physical safety tests uncovered sharp umbrella edges and prohibited decorative cords on raincoats that pose risks of cuts, punctures and entanglement for children.
• The Seoul government has requested both platforms to suspend sales of the non-compliant products even though Temu and AliExpress are not legally required to comply.
• Authorities will conduct further inspections in July targeting children’s summer items such as pool toys, swimsuits and swim caps to ensure compliance.