The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) announced on the 12th that safety tests on eight overseas-purchased children's tricycles revealed some products contained hazardous substances up to 115 times above domestic safety standards.
Of the eight products tested, two were found non-compliant due to excessive levels of lead and phthalate plasticizers detected in handles and bells that come into contact with children's bodies.
The handle of QIYOU's portable foldable stroller contained lead at 11 times the safety limit and phthalate plasticizers at 115 times the limit. XINGHAI's Star Eye children's tricycle showed lead and phthalate plasticizers at 10.7 times and 111 times the limit respectively in its handle, while lead in the bell exceeded the standard by 2.3 times.
The KCA recommended that AliExpress and The One Select halt distribution and sales of these products. Both companies have complied by removing product pages and suspending sales.
In tip-over tests assessing accident risks when children lean sideways or backward while riding, three products failed domestic safety standards by tipping at angles below 15 degrees. The affected products are QIYOU's portable foldable stroller, Besrey's Toddler Tricycle with Bell, and FavorBaby's children's tricycle.
The KCA recommended that AliExpress, eBay, and Sunny Store halt distribution and sales. AliExpress and Sunny Store have complied with the recommendations.
Four products sold through purchasing agents were found to violate the Special Act on Safety of Children's Products by not completing KC certification procedures. These include FavorBaby's children's tricycle, XINGHAI's Star Eye children's tricycle, Lecoco's Nino S2 tricycle, and Maidou's kids tricycle.
The KCA has notified relevant authorities of these violations and recommended sales suspension. All four sellers have removed product pages and halted sales.
"When using children's tricycles, purchase products that meet domestic safety standards, use them with guardian supervision, and exercise caution on slopes," the KCA advised.
The agency plans to continue testing overseas-purchased products to ensure consumer safety in Korea.