Discussion on how to build a monitoring system for safe use of alkaline water ionizer consumers
(Photo: Lee Hye-young, director of the Korea Institute of Consumer Living, presented the results of a consumer awareness survey on alkaline water ionizers and a proposal for management measures for the safe use of alkaline water ionizer consumers)
On April 2009, 4, a debate was held at the Mapo-gu Office Auditorium in Seoul hosted by the Korea Institute of Consumer Living.
As a keynote presentation at the Korea Institute of Consumer Life, researcher Lee Hye-young proposed ‘Management Measures for Safe Use of Alkaline Water Ionizer Consumers’.
(This is the same as the management improvement plan that came out of the advisory meeting on the establishment of a consumer monitoring system for the safety management of medical substance generators (alkaline ionized water) held on November 2008, 11 by the Korea Institute of Consumer Affairs.)
1. Introduction of alkaline water ionizer certification system
– “Currently, each company has ambiguous quality standards such as pH standards.
Since products are being launched as multi-function devices combined with water purification functions, it is necessary to fulfill consumers’ right to safety by implementing a certification system suitable for alkaline water ionizers.”
To reflect this, the association decided to create an association certification mark and attach it to products that meet the standard conditions and inform consumers about the safety of the product.
2. Establishment of Alkaline Water Ionizer Consumer Complaint Consultation Center
Regarding the need for periodic management of consumer complaint cases regarding alkaline water ionizers, 84.9% answered positively that periodic management is necessary, and it was surveyed that it is necessary to open a consumer complaint consultation center for alkaline water ionizers.
– The association produces a leaflet that reads, “Alkaline water ionizer is familiar with and convenient to use.”
It is being distributed to companies that manufacture, import, and sell alkaline water ionizers.
Consumers are informed of the Korea Alkaline Ionized Water Association website and the report phone, and consumer complaints are received. A consumer complaint consultation center should be established and DB (Data Base) should be established to verify the follow-up management and safety of alkaline water ionizers.
3. Implementation of training certification system for alkaline water ionizer sellers
The association is making efforts in various ways to provide standardized education to consumers about alkaline water ionizer sellers, who have the most influence at the purchasing stage, so that accurate and correct information of alkaline water ionizers can be delivered.
4. Expand the promotion of alkaline water ionizer consumer education
Many people do not know the difference between alkaline water ionizer and water purifier, which are medical substance generators.
Therefore, consumer education and publicity about alkaline water ionizers should be further strengthened to further strengthen consumer education and publicity about alkaline water ionizers to reduce consumer complaints and damage to alkaline water ionizers.
During the presentation on the topic, Jaehoon Chung of the Medical Device License Review Team of the Food and Drug Administration introduced the alkaline water ionizer management system in Korea. Next, Je Koo-hwan, non-executive director of the Korea Institute of Consumer Living, summarized Japan’s alkaline water ionizer management system.
(Photo: Je Koo-hwan, non-executive director of the Korea Institute of Consumer Living, gave a presentation on the topic of ‘Alkaline Water Ionizer Management System in Excluded Countries’)
The panel discussion included Heung-bok Na, director of the Korea Medical Gig Industry Association, Professor Park Seok-soon of Ewha Womans University, Young-Man Paik, director of the Korea Environment and Water Research Institute, and Min-Kyung Kwon, director of the Seongbuk-gu branch of the Korea Institute of Consumer Living.
Professor Shin Sang, Department of Environmental Education, Gongju University (Chair)
(Photo: From left, Director Na Heung-bok, Professor Park Seok-soon, Director of Korea Institute of Consumer Lifestyle Je Koo-hwan
(Photo: From left: Jaehoon Jeong, Youngman Baek, Minkyung Kwon)
During the question-and-answer session, Jinbaek Jung, a researcher at the Food and Drug Administration. Professor Lee Kyu-jae of Yonsei University came out and answered questions. However, due to time, the question-and-answer time is short, which is regrettable.
