What the 2025 EU Ban on TPO in Gel Nail Polish Means For Your Salon

On September 1st, 2025, the European Union officially implemented a complete ban on a popular ingredient found in gel polish, trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, also known as TPO. For nail salons across the EU, this was no small regulatory change, but a turning point reshaping what products salons can legally use and what clients can expect when booking gel services.

But what does this mean for your salon specifically? Fresha is here to lay out exactly what TPO is, and what this change means for you and your business. 

First, let's dissect why TPO was banned in the first place.

TPO has long been used in gel polishes as a photoinitiator, which is the compound that allows the polish to harden quickly under UV or LED lamps. The ban comes after scientific reviews and a series of animal testing, where concerns were raised about the potential harm, specifically to the reproductive system, as well as other long-term health effects. As a result, the European Commission has classified it as a substance of high concern. Although exposure from a manicure has been labelled minimal, European regulators apply a strict “hazard-based” standard, and if a chemical falls under this category, it can be removed from cosmetics altogether, regardless of how small the exposure may seem. 

Industry experts, however, question whether this decision was made under a “worst-case-scenario” basis. On the UK’s iconic daytime programme, This Morning, Dermatologist Dr Emma Wedgeworth explains that the decision came after a series of tests on male rats, where TPO was administered in extremely high doses (according to another source, the equivalent of 514 tubs of gel every day over ten days), far beyond the exposure humans would ever experience in a salon setting. 

For salons, the change has been immediate. Overnight, products containing TPO became illegal to sell, market, or apply to clients. Salons that hadn’t yet switched had to clear out their inventories, often discarding expensive bottles of polish that were still half-full. Some salons managed to sell through their supplies before the deadline, while others were left absorbing the loss. At the same time, manufacturers rushed to reformulate their lines, replacing TPO with alternative photoinitiators that comply with EU law. 

So what comes next? As manufacturers adapt, several alternatives are beginning to emerge.
 

• Benzoyl Germamium Derivatives (Ivocerin® and similar compounds)
  These are highly efficient at absorbing light and are already used in dental materials. They are considered safer under EU cosmetics standards. 
• Acylphosphine Oxide Variants (e.g., TPO-L)
  A modified form of TPO with lower toxicity concerns. While chemically related, it has passed EU safety reviews and is still permitted in cosmetics. 
• Camphorquinone (CQ)
  A tried and tested photointiator, Camphorquinone is well-established and long-used in the dental industry. Although less efficient under LED light compared to TPO, it is still functional. 
• Phenylpropanedione (PPD)
  Another alternative that can be used alone or in combination with other initiators to improve curing efficiency. 
• Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide (BAPO)
  A close chemical cousin to TPO, sometimes blended with other initiators to achieve broad light absorption while staying within regulatory limits.  

This means that the familiar products nail techs have relied on for years suddenly will feel very different, with some taking longer to cure, others having slightly different finishes or textures, and many being higher priced than before.

The ripple effects of this regulation change aren’t confined to the EU alone. For salons in the UK, the message is slightly different. While the ban does not apply here yet, industry insiders widely expect similar regulations to be introduced by late 2026. Many brands that sell across both the EU and UK are already reformulating globally, which means your usual products may look, feel, and cost differently, regardless of UK law. This is an opportunity to prepare early by trialling compliant products now, training staff, and keeping clients informed.

"At TRU Nail Art, we use The GelBottle Inc. products, which already have a wide range of TPO-free colours. While some builder gels and top coats are still being reformulated, the brand is actively updating its formulas to meet new EU standards. We’re continuing to offer safe, high-quality services while guiding our clients with transparency, and we’d recommend salons work with trusted brands that prioritize compliance and innovation."  - Sasha Trutneva, Owner of Tru Nail Art in Brighton, UK.

Ultimately, this isn’t the end of gel polish, but the start of a new regulatory chapter for the industry. While the EU’s decision may feel disruptive, it reflects a broader shift toward stricter safety standards. Salons inside and outside the EU will likely see changes in the products available, how they perform, and how they’re priced, but by staying informed, businesses can adjust seamlessly and continue offering clients safe, high-quality services.