EU Ban on Gel Nail Ingredient Explained
The EU has banned a key gel polish ingredient, forcing salons to switch to TPO-free formulas by September 1, 2025.
Gel nails banned eu
As a nail salon owner in the EU, you’re gearing up for new safety rules your clients care about. Happy clients trust you to follow regulations and protect their health. The EU’s recent ban on a gel polish ingredient may feel like another checklist item, but it’s really about safety and quality. Being prepared shows clients you take their well-being seriously and sets your salon apart as informed and professional in an industry full of trends and fads. Why it matters: By switching to TPO-free gels, you maintain compliance and avoid product recalls. This keeps appointments running and prevents fines, so your bottom line stays healthy. Clients are more informed than ever; they’ll appreciate your proactive approach to ingredient safety. Suppliers now offer reformulated ranges that match your service menu, letting you promote fresh “safer formulation” options. You can use this change as a marketing point to highlight your salon’s dedication to clean beauty standards and to attract clients concerned about chemical exposure. What it does: Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, or TPO, is a photoinitiator that absorbs UV or LED light and triggers the polymerisation of gel formula. It’s key to achieving a durable, chip-resistant layer with a glossy sheen. When the EU classified TPO as carcinogenic or toxic for reproduction under its CMR rules, regulators required its removal. Manufacturers now use alternatives such as TPO-L, TPO-R or other photoinitiators that absorb similar wavelengths. These substitutes deliver comparable cure speeds and finish quality, so your clients enjoy the same long-lasting manicures without the banned chemical. Client experience: Most clients won’t notice a change beyond the bottle label and updated SDS. You’ll need to remove any TPO-based stocks by the 1 September 2025 deadline. Salons already testing TPO-free lines report identical cure times under LED lamps and no difference in fouling or gloss. Sensitive clients, pregnant or nursing individuals and those reactive to CMR substances often welcome the switch. You can reassure them that these new formulations are fully approved and have passed EU toxicology checks, which strengthens trust and keeps appointments flowing smoothly during the transition. How to explain it to clients: “The EU recently banned TPO, a chemical once used to cure gel polish. We now use TPO-free formulas that are fully compliant and deliver the same glossy, long-lasting finish. This switch safeguards your health without changing your favourite manicure.” Who should skip or be careful: Clients with histories of acrylic or gel allergies should still patch-test new formulas. Pregnant or nursing individuals may wish to choose water-based polishes instead. Keep up with safety data sheets for ingredient updates. Quick takeaways: - EU ban targets only TPO, not gel polish as a whole. - All TPO-based products must be off-sale from 1 September 2025. - Reformulated gels use alternative photoinitiators like TPO-L. - Clients see the same shine and durability as before. - Check product labels and SDS for TPO-free certification. Bottom line: Embracing TPO-free gel systems keeps your salon EU-compliant and clients reassured.