Europe bans 'toxic' ingredient in gel nail polish that may cause fertility issues

A common ingredient found in many gel nail polishes has been banned across most of Europe - but it’s still freely available in the United States.

Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) has now been officially outlawed in all cosmetic products after European Union regulators flagged it as potentially toxic to humans.

TPO is a “photoinitiator,” a chemical that helps gel polish harden under UV light and keeps colours vibrant for longer.

The ban comes after animal studies linked TPO to long-term fertility issues, prompting the EU to take precautionary action while more research continues.

What does the ban means for Europe's nail salons, manufacturers and the US market?

Nail salons across the EU’s 27 member states, as well as countries like Norway and Switzerland that follow EU rules, must now stop selling TPO-based gels and safely dispose of existing stock. Manufacturers are racing to reformulate products without the controversial ingredient.

Meanwhile, the US has yet to regulate TPO - joining a long list of chemicals and additives, such as BHA & BHT preservatives and “dough conditioner,” banned in Europe but still in use stateside.

The EU ban could shake things up. US brands that source products from Europe - or reformulate there - might have to adjust. This has the potential to cause shortages or even nudge American regulators to take notice.

Some in the industry have opposed the ban. The Belgian wholesaler ASAP Nails and Beauty Supply set up a protest website, which argues that there was "no human evidence of danger" and that it would cause "major economic damage" to small businesses.