Fair Trade Commission to Block Distribution of Hazardous Products on 'Danggeun Market'

Fair Trade Commission to Sign 'Used Goods Trading Platform Operators Product Safety and Dispute Resolution Agreement' on 12th

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has decided to establish voluntary regulatory measures for consumer safety on secondhand trading and resale platforms. This decision comes amid growing concerns over the distribution of unsafe products in peer-to-peer transactions on secondhand trading platforms such as Danggeun Market and Junggonara, making it difficult to overlook consumer harm. (Reference article: FTC to expedite removal of hazardous products on ‘Danggeun Market’... Initiates voluntary regulation)

On the 12th, the Fair Trade Commission and the Korea Consumer Agency signed the ‘Secondhand Trading Platform Operators’ Product Safety and Dispute Resolution Agreement’ with four secondhand trading platforms: Danggeun Market, Bungaejangter, Secondwear, and Junggonara. This move aims to ensure consumer safety as the use of secondhand trading platforms has surged recently, leading to a continuous increase in the circulation of hazardous products.

Under this agreement, secondhand trading platform operators are expected to promptly block the distribution of hazardous products by checking domestic and international recall information through ‘Consumer24’. For example, a user posting a listing for a specific stroller would be informed that the stroller has been subject to a safety alert in the United States due to fatal entrapment accidents involving infants aged 14 months.

Additionally, the agreement includes establishing and notifying users of dispute resolution standards and setting up fair and transparent dispute resolution procedures. Accordingly, the ‘Secondhand Trading Dispute Resolution Standards’ (hereinafter ‘Dispute Resolution Standards’) and the ‘Voluntary Compliance Guidelines for Fair Secondhand Trading’ will be implemented immediately. The Dispute Resolution Standards provide specific criteria for agreements or recommendations when disputes arise between actual buyers and sellers. For instance, if a significant defect not disclosed by the seller occurs within three days of receiving a secondhand mobile phone purchase, the seller is required to compensate for repair costs or provide a full refund.

Han Ki-jung, Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, stated, “There have been numerous consumer issues requiring improvement, such as frequent consumer safety concerns and various disputes between individuals on online secondhand trading platforms.” He added, “We hope this voluntary agreement will help the online secondhand goods market evolve into a more ‘trustworthy market.’”