A number of brollies bought randomly on the market gave an up and down performance in quality tests.

About a quarter of the umbrellas were marked as substandard against rain and sun, as well as having flawed safety designs.

Shanghai Consumer Rights Protection Commission tested 40 umbrellas priced from 19.90 yuan (US$2.95) to 520 yuan.

Umbrellas sold at Shanghai New World Department Store, Hotwind, and Huijin Department Store failed tests.

An umbrella made by Shanghai Jieguang Clothing Co and sold at Shanghai New World and another made by Hotwind and sold at the Xinzhuang outlet of Hotwind were found to have a flawed design, posing safety concerns, the commission said.

In total, nine samples were found to have structural problems and flawed safety designs, and the list also included an umbrella made by Shenzhen Huwei Clothing Co and sold by Giordano (Shanghai), the commission said.

Seven umbrellas did not pass a rain protection test included one made by Shanghai Heyin Silk Co and sold at Huijin Department Store. Another umbrella sold at Orient Shopping Center and produced by Shanghai Haoli Co failed the same test.

A brolly produced by Shanghai Jieguang Clothing Co and sold at Shanghai New World failed for substandard performance over ultraviolet protection.