Europe has banned TPO (Credits: Getty Images)

The EU has banned a key ingredient in nail gel polish sparking panic for some manicurists who have been ordered to immediately abandon their stock.

Without trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide or TPO,or its equivalents,gel polish wouldn’t harden or dry when put under a UV lamp.

But now it has been classified as dangerous to workers and customers.

Metro dives into how the ban will affect your next manicure.

What has happened?

From September 1,all ll 27 EU member states have prohibited the use and sale of the chemical trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide – TPO for short.

The ban is seen as a precautionary measure,as scientists haven’t found any risk to humans,so far.

The EU classified TPO as a CMR Category 1B substance (carcinogenic,mutagenic,or toxic to reproduction).

Specifically,studies suggest TPO may be carcinogenic or cancer-causing when exposure is prolonged or repeated.

Animal studies show adverse effects on fertility and fetal development but salons are claiming testing fed large amounts of TPO to animals at levels humans would not be exposed to.

What is TPO?

Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide is a photoinitiator found in most gel nail polish.

It absorbs ultraviolet (UV) or LED light,starting a chemical reaction called polymerisation that hardens the gel polish.

TPO was popular for its efficiency,fast curing time,and good colour stability. It means the polish hardens and becomes more resistant to chipping.

But scientists believe long-term exposure may disrupt reproductive health,leading to risks of infertility or pregnancy complications.

People exposed may develop dermatitis,redness,itching,or blistering around nails and fingers.

Nail technicians are at higher risk due to frequent,repeated exposure to dust,fumes,or skin contact.

Have all gel nail polishes been banned?

From 1 September 2025, both placing and making available on the market any cosmetic products containing TPO are prohibited.

In other words,professionals in the cosmetic businesses may not sell these products in the EU,nor may they give these products away.

It can also be found in builder gels or some nail extension products.

But there has been a rise in brands such as Manucurist Green Flash,IKON.IQ,PN Selfcare,Glaize and others marketing themselves as ‘TPO-free’.

Which countries does the TPO ban apply to?

All 27 member states of the EU have banned the chemical.

Norway and Switzerland have also followed suit as they do with most EU cosmetic initiatives despite not being EU members.

The Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AMMPS) followed suit,banning all nail cosmetic products containing TPO as of late August.

Under post-Brexit rules,no ban is currently in place in the UK but there will be consultations with a view to a ban in late 2026.

The US is yet to legislate on it,so there is currently no ban.

The Belgian wholesaler ASAP Nails and Beauty Supply set up a protest website to oppose the ban,arguing it would cause ‘major economic damage’ to small businesses and was based on ‘no human evidence of danger’.