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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.
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.
This means that any leftover nail products containing TPO can no longer be used in salons in those countries.
Under a post-Brexit framework, the UK is considering imposing a similar ban in late-2026 – but until then, TPO products are still allowed.
What is TPO and why are scientists concerned about it?
Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide is a substance used in gel nail polishes as a photoinitiator – a molecule that sparks a reaction when exposed to light.
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.
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.
The EU TPO ban is seen as a precautionary measure, as scientists have not yet evidenced any risk to humans.
The US is also yet to legislate on it, with TPO products still allowed in salons across all 50 states.
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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.
“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.”
Will it impact nail…
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