The Swedish furniture giant’s Korean business unit, however, has reacted passively to the agency’s initial request to supplement the safety measures of the concerned dresser. (image: Flickr/ TF-urban)
SEOUL, July 25 (Korea Bizwire) – In what some might see as a late response to the recent controversy over IKEA’s Malm dresser, which has been cited for the death of at least three children in North America, the Korean government has decided to investigate the safety of all dressers currently being distributed domestically.
According to the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy), it will be evaluating both foreign and domestic-made dressers for safety and the presence of toxic substances. Most importantly, the agency will determine if the chests can topple over and cause harm to toddlers, the primary cause of concern.
Upon discovery of any safety hazards, corrective recommendations or orders will be issued to manufacturers.
Concern over IKEA’s Malm dresser in the United States pushed the company to finally stop selling the dresser in North American in June. IKEA also recalled 29 million units in the U.S.
The Swedish furniture giant’s Korean business unit, however, has reacted passively to the agency’s initial request to supplement the safety measures of the concerned dresser, claiming that the item meets Korean safety standards. The company has been hit by fast-spreading criticism that it’s treating Korean customers with disdain.
Although IKEA is offering refunds to Korean customers, the chests are still being sold.
By Joseph Shin (jss539@koreabizwire.com)
