EU bans TPO in gel nail products: what nail brands need to check
If you export gel polish, you have probably heard this already. Since September 1, 2025the EU listsTPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide) as a prohibited cosmetic ingredient.
What it is
- A photoinitiator that makes gel cure quickly under UV or LED lamps
- Previously allowed for professional use only, now banned in every setting
Why it was banned
- It was reclassified as toxic for reproduction, category 1B (CMR 1B), which triggers a ban under EU cosmetics rules.
What changed on the ground
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There was no transition period, so existing stock could not be sold after September 1.
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Ireland's regulator told salons to check ingredient lists for TPO and stop using those products.
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Distributors must stop supplying them.
Export checklist
- Re-test cure speed and color stability for formulas moved to alternative photoinitiators
- Keep EU stock and non-EU stock under separate SKUs
If your team reformulated, what differences did you notice in feel or curing time?
Source: HPRA — TPO prohibited in cosmetics from 1 September 2025
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