If you work within the professional nail industry, you may have seen a lot of information recently about TPO and changes to the regulations surrounding its use in nail products.
One of the main areas of confusion has been the dates involved. The regulations do not apply in exactly the same way across the European Union and Great Britain, so it is important for nail professionals to understand what applies to them and when.
Here, we explain what TPO is, why the regulations are changing and what nail technicians in Great Britain need to know.
What is TPO?
TPO – Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide – is a photoinitiator that has traditionally been used in some UV and LED-cured nail products.
Photoinitiators play an important role within light-cured nail systems. When exposed to the correct UV or LED light, they help initiate the chemical reaction that allows the product to cure and create a hard-wearing nail coating.
If a nail product contains TPO, you should be able to find it within the ingredient list under:
Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide
Why is TPO being banned?
Changes to the regulatory classification of TPO have resulted in the ingredient being prohibited for use in cosmetic products.
Within the EU, TPO was classified as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant under chemical classification legislation. Under EU cosmetics regulations, this classification triggered its addition to the list of substances prohibited in cosmetic products.
Although terminology such as "reproductive toxicant" can understandably sound concerning, it is important to put the regulatory change into context.
The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) explains that the prohibition is based on the hazard classification of the ingredient and a precautionary regulatory approach, rather than evidence that correctly formulated TPO-containing nail products currently in use have been shown to be unsafe.
When was TPO banned in the EU?
The prohibition on TPO in cosmetic products came into effect throughout the European Union on 1 September 2025.
From this date, cosmetic products containing TPO could no longer be newly placed on the EU market, sold, supplied or transferred as part of a commercial activity.
The EU rules also mean that professional nail technicians and salons cannot use TPO-containing cosmetic products on clients, even if those products were purchased before 1 September 2025.
This is an important difference between the EU and the regulations now applying in Great Britain.
What are the TPO dates for Great Britain?
For England, Scotland and Wales, the regulations include a transition period.
There are two important dates for professional nail businesses to understand:
15 August 2026
From 15 August 2026, new cosmetic products containing TPO can no longer be placed onto the Great Britain market.
In simple terms, manufacturers and importers can no longer introduce new TPO-containing cosmetic products into the GB market from this date.
14 February 2027
Products containing TPO that were legally placed onto the Great Britain market before 15 August 2026 can continue to move through the supply chain during a transitional period.
This means qualifying existing stock can continue to be sold and supplied until 14 February 2027.
From 15 February 2027, distributors, retailers and suppliers will no longer be able to sell or supply TPO-containing cosmetic products in Great Britain.
Can nail technicians in Great Britain use existing TPO products after February 2027?
This is one of the biggest questions surrounding the new regulations.
Current guidance from the CTPA, developed with input from Trading Standards, states that professional nail technicians operating in England, Scotland and Wales can continue to use TPO-containing products they have already purchased after 14 February 2027.
However, they will not be able to purchase further TPO-containing products after the supply deadline, nor should remaining stock be sold or transferred to another business.
This differs significantly from the EU position, where professional use of TPO-containing cosmetics has not been permitted since 1 September 2025.
As regulations and industry guidance continue to develop, professionals should also keep up to date with information from their suppliers, industry bodies and insurers.
What about Northern Ireland?
When discussing the TPO regulations, it is important to distinguish between Great Britain and the whole of the United Kingdom.
Northern Ireland follows relevant EU cosmetics legislation under the Windsor Framework.
This means the EU rules relating to TPO apply in Northern Ireland, rather than the Great Britain transition dates outlined above.
For this reason, the dates of 15 August 2026 and 14 February 2027 apply specifically to England, Scotland and Wales.
What should nail professionals do now?
If you are a professional nail technician or salon owner in Great Britain, there is no need to panic or immediately dispose of products that have been legally purchased.
However, now is a sensible time to review the products within your kit and begin preparing for the transition.
We recommend:
- Checking the ingredient lists of your UV and LED-cured products.
- Looking specifically for Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide.
- Speaking to your manufacturer or supplier if you are unsure whether a product contains TPO.
- Beginning to move towards TPO-free alternatives rather than waiting until the February 2027 supply deadline.
- Keeping clear records of products purchased during the transition period.
- Checking any specific requirements or conditions set by your professional insurance provider.
The transition period provides Great Britain nail professionals with time to make these changes in a considered way.
Does TPO-free mean nail products will perform differently?
Removing TPO does not mean the end of professional gel systems or UV/LED-cured nail products.
Manufacturers can formulate nail products using alternative photoinitiators, and the professional nail industry is already transitioning towards compliant TPO-free formulations.
As with any professional nail system, technicians should always follow the manufacturer's recommended application method, curing times and compatible lamp guidance to achieve the intended performance of the product.
We're here to help
We understand that regulatory changes can create uncertainty, particularly when information online refers to different countries and different implementation dates.
The key dates to remember are:
European Union and Northern Ireland:
TPO prohibition effective from 1 September 2025.
Great Britain – England, Scotland and Wales:
New TPO-containing cosmetics cannot be placed on the market from 15 August 2026, with qualifying existing stock able to continue being sold and supplied until 14 February 2027.
Professional nail technicians in Great Britain can, under current industry guidance supported by Trading Standards' interpretation, continue using stock they legally purchased before the supply deadline.
If you're unsure whether a particular NSI product contains TPO, please contact our team and we'll be happy to help you check.
We will continue to keep our professional community informed as the industry transitions and further guidance becomes available.