Understanding the Ban on TPO in Nail Products
Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, more commonly known as TPO, is a photoinitiator used in some gel nail products to help them cure under UV/LED light. It has already been banned in cosmetic products in the EU from 1 September 2025, and the same restriction is now being phased into Great Britain too, products containing TPO must not be placed on the market from 15 August 2026, and they must not continue to be made available for purchase after 14 February 2027.
How this affects HONA
At HONA, we want to reassure you straight away: we do not use TPO in our products. Our formulas are already aligned with the EU ban and the upcoming Great Britain changes, so you can continue to work with confidence knowing your HONA system is already future-proof.
For us, this is not a last-minute reformulation story. It is simply confirmation that the direction we have already taken with our formulas remains the right one for nail tech safety, compliance, and long-term confidence.
Why is TPO being banned?
TPO is being prohibited because of its CMR classification under chemicals law, specifically as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant. In the EU, that classification triggered its move into the list of substances prohibited in cosmetics, with the ban applying from 1 September 2025.
In Great Britain, the legal change is being introduced through amendments to the UK Cosmetics Regulation, with a transition period built in. Products containing the affected CMR substances can continue to be made available in GB only if they were placed on the market before 15 August 2026, with the final off-shelf date being 14 February 2027.
What TPO does in nail products
TPO is used because it helps start the curing process when exposed to UV/LED light. In practical terms, it helps gel products harden properly and supports performance in systems where fast, efficient curing matters. Industry sources note that it has been valued for its curing efficiency and performance in UV/LED systems.
What the ban means for nail techs
The biggest thing to understand is that the rules are not identical everywhere.
In the EU, from 1 September 2025, both the sale and professional use of cosmetic products containing TPO are prohibited. The European Commission has clarified that using a cosmetic product in a paid salon service counts as “making available on the market” in the course of a commercial activity.
In Great Britain, the position is different.
For England, Scotland and Wales:
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Manufacturers must not place products containing TPO on the market from 15 August 2026
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Distributors and suppliers must not make them available after 14 February 2027
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Nail techs in Great Britain will not be able to purchase products containing TPO after 14 February 2027
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However, according to current industry guidance, professionals in Great Britain may still use stock they already purchased before that off-shelf date.
That means if you are a nail tech in Wales, England or Scotland, this is mainly about making sure any future purchases and brand choices are compliant before the GB deadlines arrive.
A note on safety and perspective
It is important to separate regulatory status from panic. Industry guidance from CTPA explains that the ban is based on the hazardous classification of the ingredient under a worst-case framework and does not automatically mean that products currently containing TPO are unsafe in normal cosmetic use. CTPA also points to the earlier SCCS safety review of TPO in cosmetic use.
That said, the regulatory position is clear: if a product contains TPO, brands, suppliers and professionals need to follow the applicable deadlines in their market.
What should nail techs do now?
If you use HONA, there is nothing you need to change in response to the TPO ban. Our products are already formulated without TPO.
If you use other systems too, the sensible next steps are:
1. Check the SDS or INCI information
Review the supporting product documentation from your supplier or brand and check whether Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide or TPO is listed.
2. Ask your brand whether formulas have been updated
If a brand is still using older stock or older formulations, ask them directly what their transition plan is for the EU and GB markets.
3. Be aware of where you work and sell
If you operate in Northern Ireland, the EU rules already apply, so TPO-containing cosmetic nail products have not been legal to purchase there since 1 September 2025. The later 2026/2027 dates apply to Great Britain only.
4. Plan ahead rather than leaving it late
Most compliant brands will already have moved away from TPO. This is less about panic-buying or panic-discarding, and more about making sure your system is aligned with the rules well before the deadlines.
HONA’s view
At HONA, we believe nail techs deserve formulas that are not only high-performing, but also built with long-term compliance and confidence in mind. The upcoming GB restriction on TPO is another example of why thoughtful formulation matters.
We have already taken that route. Our products are TPO-free, already aligned with the current EU position and ready for the Great Britain deadlines too.
Quick FAQ
Is TPO already banned in the EU?
Yes. TPO has been prohibited in cosmetic products in the EU from 1 September 2025.
Is TPO now banned in the UK?
It is being phased out in Great Britain. Products containing TPO must not be placed on the GB market from 15 August 2026, and must not continue to be made available on the market after 14 February 2027.
Does this apply the same way across the whole UK?
No. Northern Ireland follows the EU cosmetics rules, so the EU ban has applied there since 1 September 2025. The 15 August 2026 and 14 February 2027 dates apply to Great Britain only.
Do I need to throw away products containing TPO in Great Britain?
Not necessarily. Current GB guidance indicates professionals will not be able to purchase TPO-containing products after 14 February 2027, but may still use stock already purchased before then.
Do I need to worry if I use HONA?
No. HONA products do not contain TPO, so you are already using a system that is aligned with the EU ban and the upcoming Great Britain changes.