From September 2025, TPO is out in the EU, But here's why UK nail techs shouldn't panic.
There has been a lot of discussion around the upcoming EU ban on Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO), which has taken effect on 1st September 2025.
WHY IS IT BEING BANNED?
TPO has been reclassified under the CLP Regulation as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant (may damage fertility). This classification is based on animal studies where rats were fed extremely high, repeated oral doses. These studies reported adverse effects such as testicular atrophy, reduced sperm counts, and impaired fertility.
It is important to highlight:
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These findings are only from oral toxicity studies in animals.
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No human studies on reproductive toxicity of TPO have been conducted.
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Cosmetic use of TPO involves ~1–3% in cured UV gel systems, where the ingredient is polymerised, immobilised, and not bioavailable.
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Nail professionals and clients are not exposed through ingestion, which was the basis of the animal studies.
A HAZARD-BASED BAN, NOT RISK-BASED
The EU Cosmetics Regulation automatically prohibits substances classified as CMRs 1A or 1B. This is a hazard-only approach, meaning it does not take into account actual exposure levels, the route of exposure, or the proven safety profile of finished products. In nail systems, the realistic risk is negligible, since TPO is locked into the cured gel structure and not available for absorption.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR HD PRO?
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TPO remains legal in the UK and USA, and while there is speculation of a future UK ban (possibly around 2026), nothing has been confirmed. This has now been extended to Feb 2027 (see update below)
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The majority of our HD Pro range is already TPO-free.
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A small handful of products still contain TPO, and we are actively reformulating these to ensure our range remains fully compliant and future-proof.
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We are also in the process of introducing clear TPO-free badges on our website so you can easily see which products are already TPO-free.
OUR COMMITMENT
At HD Pro, we will always:
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Keep you informed about regulatory changes.
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Ensure our products are reformulated to remain 100% compliant.
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Continue to deliver the same high-quality performance and innovation you expect.
We are committed to supporting nail professionals through these changes and providing safe, effective products you can trust.
UPDATE: FEB 2026
The following information has been taken directly from the CTPA (Cosmetics, Toiletries & Perfumery Association) and was posted on their website in November 2025
GB Interpretation of ‘Making available’ Dates for Banned Ingredients – Professional Use
The ban of trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) in cosmetic products in GB is expected to come into place with a ‘making available’ (off-shelf) date of 15 February 2027.
CTPA’s interpretation of the UK Cosmetics Regulation’s ‘making available’ date for products containing banned ingredients - when used by professionals - is that professionals may continue to use these products on clients after the deadline, but cannot purchase them from distributors after the ‘making available’ date.
CTPA has discussed this interpretation with Trading Standards in the UK and both parties are aligned on this position.
Background information on TPO ban in cosmetics
This ban is based on a “worst-case scenario” assessment, not on how TPO is actually used in cosmetic products. In reality, the amount of TPO used in nail products is extremely low and it is applied to nails, so our exposure to this ingredient is very low . Cosmetic products containing TPO have passed rigorous checks to ensure their safety, by qualified safety assessors, before being sold.
This is further supported by the fact that an independent expert scientific panel, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) conducted a detailed safety review of TPO in 2014 and concluded that the way it is used in cosmetics is safe.
TPO has been reclassified under a separate piece of chemicals legislation, the GB CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) Regulation, meaning that the cosmetics industry would need to submit additional information to the authorities to continue using it in cosmetic products. The additional information would need to show that not only is the ingredient safe to use, but also that there are no suitable alternative ingredients to TPO available and that TPO is used safely in food. While the safety of TPO could be proved, it was the difficulty with gathering the additional information which meant that the cosmetics industry did not seek an exemption from the authorities to continue using TPO in cosmetics.
If you see TPO (labelled as Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide) on the ingredient list of your cosmetics and personal care products in GB, please be reassured that these products are still safe and legal to use in salons until stock lasts.
