The European Union has banned a key ingredient in gel nail polish, raising concerns that products used in salons in the UK and elsewhere may not be safe.<\/p>\n
From 1 September 2025, Norway, Switzerland, and all 27 EU member states have prohibited the use and sale of the chemical trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, or TPO.<\/p>\n
This means that any leftover nail products containing TPO can no longer be used in salons in those countries.<\/p>\n
Under a post-Brexit<\/strong><\/a> framework, the UK is considering imposing a similar ban in late-2026 – but until then, TPO products are still allowed.<\/p>\n What is TPO and why are scientists concerned about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide is a substance used in gel nail polishes as a photoinitiator – a molecule that sparks a reaction when exposed to light.<\/p>\n This means that when a customer in a nail salon places their gel nails under a lamp, the polish hardens and becomes more resistant to chipping.<\/p>\n Following 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.<\/p>\n The EU TPO ban is seen as a precautionary measure, as scientists have not yet evidenced any risk to humans.<\/p>\n The US is also yet to legislate on it, with TPO products still allowed in salons across all 50 states.<\/p>\n Read more from Sky News The Gel Bottle, which produces the thickening product BIAB, or Builder In A Bottle, cautioned in a statement: “The cosmetics industry frequently undergoes regulatory updates to protect consumer safety and wellbeing.<\/p>\n “These updates are proactive measures, ensuring products remain compliant with the latest scientific research and safety standards. This is not a product recall, current products remain safe to use.”<\/p>\n Will it impact nail salons in the UK?<\/strong><\/p>\n Since Brexit, separate legislation governs the use of chemicals in Great Britain, with Northern Ireland subject to slightly modified rules under the Windsor Framework<\/strong><\/a> due to its location on the island of Ireland.<\/p>\n The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulations have been in place since 1 January 2021.<\/p>\n REACH consulted with businesses, scientists, and other stakeholders over the use of TPO in 2022, with most respondents supporting a ban by October 2026.<\/p>\n This was intended to give businesses time to transition to alternative products.<\/p>\n The UK government has said “subject to consent of the Scottish and Welsh governments… [it] intends to introduce” the ban on the proposed timescale, although this is yet to be confirmed.<\/p>\n How widely is TPO used in salons?<\/strong><\/p>\n TPO has proved a popular choice for gel nail products because it works with both UV and LED light, allowing salon owners more choice in the type of drying equipment they use.<\/p>\n However, as soon as the EU began the process of banning it, manufacturers started to swap their products for TPO-free alternatives.<\/p>\n Popular brands such as OPI, Apres Nail, and Aimelli now have a wide range of non-TPO products.<\/p>\n
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