Aekyung and SK Chemicals Fined for Toxic Humidifier Disinfectants

Jul 29, 2023

Aekyung Industrial and SK Chemicals have been slapped with a combined fine of 110 million won for falsely advertising that their humidifier disinfectants containing toxic substances were safe and harmless.

SK Chemicals and Aekyung Industrial developed humidifier sterilizers containing CMIT/MIT ingredients, and launched a humidifier sterilizer with pine needle fragrance in October 2002 and one with lavender fragrance in September 2005 under the trademarks of Home Clinic Humidifier Mate, the Fair Trade Commission said on Oct. 26.

Aekyung launched the new products in October 2002 and October 2005. It said in press releases that these products "are characterized by the use of antibacterial agents harmless to the human body,” and that “they protect the health of your whole family with ingredients that are safe for the human body." These messages were reported by internet media outlets.

Aekyung and SK Chemicals started selling these products through Aekyung’s distribution network from around October 2002. But they stopped selling them on Aug. 31, 2011, following the recommendation for consumers from the Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (Korea CDC) to refrain from using the humidifier disinfectant. The two companies began to withdraw the products around Sept. 4, 2011.

However, in 2011 and 2012, Aekyung collected products mainly from direct buyers without actively collecting them from retail stores across the country.

By applying Article 3, Paragraph 1, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Fair Labeling and Advertisement, the FTC gave a correction order, a public announcement order and an order to remove advertisements to Aekyung and SK Chemicals. Aekyung was levied with a fine of 75 million won and SK Chemicals with 35 million won.

The FTC also filed a complaint against Aekyung and one of its former CEOs and the SK Chemicals and two of its former CEOs with the prosecution on Oct. 24.