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:

• These findings are only from oral toxicity studies in animals.

• No human studies on reproductive toxicity of TPO have been conducted.

• Cosmetic use of TPO involves ~1–3% in cured UV gel systems, where the ingredient is polymerised, immobilised, and not bioavailable.

• 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?

• 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.

• The majority of our HD Pro range is already TPO-free.

• A small handful of products still contain TPO, and we are actively reformulating these to ensure our range remains fully compliant and future-proof.

• 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:

• Keep you informed about regulatory changes.

• Ensure our products are reformulated to remain 100% compliant.

• 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.