Children's sandals bought via overseas platforms found to contain hazardous substances above safety limits

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that safety tests on 21 children's products — including shoes, toys and hats — sold on overseas online platforms AliExpress, Temu and Shein found five products failed domestic safety standards set by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The tested products covered nine children's shoes, seven children's toys, three children's hats and two ultra-low-priced items. The tests focused on detecting hazardous chemicals and assessing physical safety. Based on the results, Seoul asked the relevant platforms to halt sales of the noncompliant products.

In June, Seoul also tested 32 children's products — including umbrellas and raincoats — sold on Chinese online platforms such as AliExpress, Temu and Shein, and found 10 failed domestic safety standards.

Three children's shoe products were found to be noncompliant. Two contained phthalate plasticizers in their main materials, decorations and insole leather at levels up to 284.6 times the permitted limit. Phthalate plasticizers can disrupt the endocrine system and affect reproductive function, including by reducing sperm count and causing infertility and premature birth.

Among the children's toys, one bubble toy failed physical safety standards. After a drop test, the area around the toy's horn broke apart and developed sharp edges, posing a risk of puncture injuries during use.

One children's hat also failed after its outer fabric registered a pH level of 8.2, outside the acceptable range of 4.0 to 7.5. Textile products with pH levels outside the standard range — whether strongly acidic or strongly alkaline — can cause skin irritation and allergic contact dermatitis.

Seoul asked the overseas online platforms to suspend sales of the five noncompliant products. The city also urged consumers to carefully check product information and safety labeling before purchasing items through overseas direct-purchase channels, noting that such products have not undergone KC certification and their safety has not been verified.

In addition, the city said it plans to conduct safety tests in July on children's water play equipment, swimwear and swim caps sold on overseas online platforms.

The full safety test results are available at any time on the Seoul Metropolitan Government website or the Seoul e-commerce center homepage.