The European Union has banned a key ingredient in gel nail polish, with all 27 EU member states now being prohibited from using or selling the chemical trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, or TPO, reports Sky News.
This means any leftover nail products containing TPO can no longer be used in salons in those countries.
After a small number of studies linking TPO exposure to long-term fertility issues in animals, EU officials decided to classify it as a CMR (carcinogen, mutagen, reprotoxic) under its classification, labelling and packaging regulations.
The EU TPO ban is seen as a precautionary measure, as scientists have not yet evidenced any risk to humans. Still, European regulators often take a more aggressive approach to regulation, more often banning substances that pose even a theoretical risk to human health rather than waiting for human studies, reports ABC News.
Under a post-Brexit framework, the UK is considering imposing a similar ban in late-2026 – but until then, TPO products are still allowed.
TPO remains allowed in the United States.
Why scientists worry about TPO
In gel polish, TPO oxide acts as a photo-initiator – a molecule that sparks a reaction when exposed to light. So when someone – in a salon for instance – places their gel nails under a lamp, the polish hardens and becomes more resistant to chipping.
TPO has proved a popular choice for these products because it works with both UV and LED light, allowing salon owners more choice in the type of drying equipment they use.
However, as soon as the EU began the process of banning it, manufacturers started to swop their products for TPO-free alternatives.
Most of the bigger brands now have a wide range of non-TPO products, including The Gel Bottle – popular in South Africa – which says all of its EU products are now TPO-free.
It also produces the thickening product BIAB, or Builder In A Bottle.
“We are pleased to confirm that 100% of The Gel Bottle products sold in the EU are now fully TPO-free and compliant with the regulations,” the company said in a statement.
“We are actively transitioning all products to new TPO-free formulations, with reformulated versions already rolling out. We expect the entire range to be fully TPO-free ahead of the UK regulatory deadline (September 2026).”
ABC News article – European Union bans key ingredient in gel nail polish (Open access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Hidden perils of gel and acrylic nails
UK launches probe into nail gel allergic reactions