• The EU has banned trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) in gel nail polish due to health concerns.
• The ban takes effect from September 1, 2025, impacting nail salons that must switch to compliant products.
• In the U.S., TPO remains unregulated, raising questions about consumer safety.
• Experts caution that TPO may pose reproductive health risks, prompting the EU's preventive action.
• Alternatives to TPO include safer photoinitiators like benzoyl peroxide.

The European Union has officially prohibited the use and sale of trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) in gel nail polish, effective from September 1, 2025. This regulation stems from concerns over the chemical’s classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction, leading to fears about its safety, particularly regarding reproductive health and skin allergies. The ban means that nail salons across Europe will have to stop using products containing TPO and switch to alternatives deemed safer, according to Newsweek, The Local, and India Times.

The newly implemented ban mandates that all TPO-containing products already on the market must be disposed of by beauty salons, as continuing to use or sell such items will incur substantial fines, reportedly starting at €22,000. Industry experts stress that this decision is largely precautionary, as the studies demonstrating TPO's harmful effects have primarily relied on animal testing rather than comprehensive human studies. Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist, highlighted that the regulation reflects a proactive rather than reactive approach to public health, according to The Local and India Times.

Despite the EU's strict stance, the United States has yet to implement similar regulations on TPO, which raises concerns among health advocates regarding the safety of millions who continue to use such products. The U.S. cosmetic industry, catering to a vast consumer market, has not restricted TPO's use. This discrepancy might eventually prompt some American brands to follow suit and seek alternative ingredients to align with evolving safety standards, according to Newsweek and India Times.