TPO now banned for use in nail products across the EU

Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) has been banned for use in nail products made and sold within the EU market.

The ban came into effect on 1 Septmember in all EU member states, including Ireland, and means that production and trading of any products that contain TPO must cease immediately.

Additionally, any products containing TPO cannot be transferred or given away to another person within the EU. This applies to both nail brands and nail technicians.

This also means that nail technicians can no longer use products containing TPO – even if they were purchased before the ban was put in place.

TPO is a substance used in gel nail polishes as a photoinitiator – a molecule that absorbs light (in this instance, UV or LED) to create a reaction. This reaction then leads to a photocuring process that solidifies, or cures, the gel polish, in addition to enabling greater colour stability. 

It is being banned as a result of EU officials deeming the ingredient as potentially toxic to humans. This follows studies which have highlighted a link between the chemical and long-term fertility damage in animals.

According to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), there are a number of actions distributors and salon owners should take.

It said that distributors should not supply any products containing TPO, while salon owners should check the ingredient list of any of their UV-cured nail polishes or gels for TPO; stop using products containing TPO; and confirm with their supplier that future stock will not contain TPO.

It also advised salon owners to use reputable suppliers who stay up to date with regulatory requirements, and can alert them to upcoming changes to cosmetics ingredients.