Inspection of 10 Products on Overseas Online Platforms
Including Cosmetics, Kitchenware, Small Home Appliances, and Fashion Accessories
"Difficulty in Identifying Counterfeits Raises Concerns for Consumer Harm"
An analysis of some brand products sold at prices lower than the normal retail price on overseas online platforms confirmed that all were counterfeit.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 24th that it had analyzed 10 products from 8 brands sold on platforms such as Aliexpress and Temu through KATRI (Korea Apparel Testing & Research Institute), a nationally accredited testing agency, and found that none of them matched the genuine products.
The inspection covered five cosmetics, three kitchenware items, one small home appliance, and one fashion accessory. The selection focused on cosmetics that have recently been subject to counterfeiting controversies and kitchenware items that are frequently used in daily life. These products were being sold at prices averaging 65% lower, and up to 91% lower, than the regular retail price.
An analysis of some brand products sold at prices lower than the normal price on overseas online platforms confirmed that all were counterfeit. The scent of two perfume products was distinctly different from the genuine ones. Getty Images
In the case of cosmetics, all five products (two perfumes, two basic skincare products, and one color cosmetic) from four brands differed from the genuine items. The external container design and color were different, and the logo placement and labeling did not match the originals.
There were also differences in ingredients, not just in appearance. The scent of the two perfume products was distinctly different from the genuine ones, and the ingredient compositions of the three skincare and color cosmetic products did not match the originals. Because differences in cosmetic ingredients can lead to safety issues such as dermatitis or allergies, consumers are advised to exercise caution.
For kitchenware, all three products (one scrubber, one water purifier, and one water purifier filter) from two brands did not match the genuine items. Overall, the design and color were different, and there was no product logo. The water purifier filter had a different structural design from the genuine product, making it difficult to guarantee filtration performance, and there is also a possibility that harmful substances could be detected in the filter itself, so extra caution is required.
The single small home appliance (headphones) also differed from the genuine product in details such as product color and logo font. The stitching on the leather cover was not precise, and the leather material was different from the original. In addition, the one fashion accessory (a phone case) did not match the genuine product. There was no genuine product label, and the color and design were different from the original. The font of the copyright notice at the bottom of the product also did not match the genuine one.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government explained that on online platforms, it is often difficult for consumers to determine whether a product is counterfeit in advance, as sellers frequently use brand names or images of genuine products without authorization. The city also advised consumers to check registered trademarks and logo designs through the Intellectual Property Office's "KIPRIS" system, and to carefully compare product descriptions, reviews, and official product images before making a purchase.
Based on the results of this inspection, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has requested overseas online platforms to suspend sales of the relevant products. The city also plans to continue safety inspections and monitoring of counterfeit product distribution to prevent consumer harm. Kim Myungsun, Director of Fair Economy at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "This inspection targeted ultra-low-priced products and confirmed that purchasing solely based on price can lead to significant harm in terms of safety or quality. In particular, for products that come into close contact with the human body, such as cosmetics and kitchenware, we urge consumers to prioritize safety over price and to thoroughly check whether the seller is an official distributor and verify product information before purchasing."
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