The TPO Ban Explained: What Every UK Nail Tech Actually Needs to Know
You've probably seen "TPO-free" popping up on more labels and supplier pages lately — and maybe a few confusing headlines with it. So let's cut through the noise: what TPO actually is, what's really changed (and when), and how it applies to the Astonishing Nails Gels and BIAB range and Gelosophy Gel Polish stocked by Majestic Beauty & Nail Academy.
What Is TPO?
TPO — trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide — is a photoinitiator used in many gel polishes, builder gels, and BIAB formulas. It's what allows the product to harden quickly and evenly under UV or LED light.
What Actually Happened with TPO — EU vs UK
This is the part that gets misreported most often, so here are the confirmed dates and what they mean for each market.
European Union: TPO was reclassified as a CMR Category 1B substance (carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic) under the EU's CLP Regulation, with that classification applying from 1 September 2025. This triggered its automatic addition to Annex II — the list of prohibited substances — of the EU Cosmetics Regulation. As of that date, cosmetic products containing TPO can no longer be placed on the market anywhere in the EU.
Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales): The UK has its own, separate cosmetics regulatory system, and it is on a different timeline. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has confirmed that manufacturers and importers will not be permitted to place TPO-containing cosmetic products on the GB market from 15 August 2026. Distributors will not be able to supply TPO-containing products to professionals after 14 February 2027, and salons may continue using stock purchased before that date until it runs out.
In short: EU cosmetic rules do not automatically apply in Great Britain. The EU prohibition is already in force; the GB prohibition has a confirmed future date. If you're sourcing from a supplier that only references the EU ban, ask specifically about their GB compliance timeline.
It's also worth noting that industry bodies including the CTPA have stated that the ban reflects a precautionary regulatory approach to hazard classification, rather than evidence that TPO at the low concentrations used in nail products has caused harm in professional use. The restriction is about future compliance, not a signal that existing, correctly used TPO-containing products are unsafe.
Are Astonishing Nails Gels, BIAB, and Gelosophy Gel Polish TPO-Free?
According to the current manufacturer formulation information for Astonishing Nails Gels, Astonishing Nails BIAB, and Gelosophy Gel Polish, these ranges are formulated without TPO. As always, we'd recommend checking the current INCI/ingredient listing on the product packaging or asking us directly if you want written confirmation for your salon's own compliance records — this is good practice for any regulated ingredient, not just TPO.
TPO-Free Does Not Mean Allergy-Free or "Completely Safe"
This is worth being direct about: a TPO-free formula simply means that one specific ingredient has been removed. Gel polishes, builder gels, and BIAB — TPO-free or not — can still contain acrylates and methacrylates, which are well-established causes of skin sensitisation in both clients and technicians. Removing TPO doesn't change that.
A TPO-free formula removes TPO from the formulation, while still requiring the same professional precautions when working with UV/LED nail products.
TPO-Free vs HEMA-Free: They Are Not the Same Thing
This is one of the most common points of confusion in the industry, so it's worth spelling out clearly:
TPO is a photoinitiator — it helps the product cure under light.
HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) is a monomer used for adhesion and flexibility, and is one of the most common causes of allergic sensitisation in nail products.
A product can be TPO-free but still contain HEMA, and vice versa. They're removed (or retained) independently of each other, so always check both if either is relevant to you or your client — don't assume "TPO-free" covers HEMA too.
Professional-Use Advice
Whether or not a product is TPO-free, standard professional precautions still apply:
Avoid skin contact with any uncured gel, BIAB, or builder product
Use the correct compatible lamp, wavelength, and cure time specified by the manufacturer for that specific product — this varies between brands and even between products in the same range
Keep bottles clean and capped to avoid product degradation and cross-contamination
Use appropriate dust extraction when filing gel or BIAB enhancements
Follow the product's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and manufacturer instructions in full
Different gels are formulated for different lamp types and cure times — don't assume a new product will cure identically to what you're used to. Always check the manufacturer's guidance before your first use.
Why "TPO-Free" Still Matters to Clients
Clients don't need to understand CLP regulations to want reassurance about what's in the products used on them. Being able to say — accurately — that your salon uses TPO-free gel and BIAB is a genuine point of trust for clients who specifically prefer TPO-free nail products or are paying closer attention to product ingredients generally.
FAQ
What does TPO-free mean?
It means the product's formulation does not contain trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, the photoinitiator now restricted in cosmetic products in the EU (since September 2025) and due to be restricted in Great Britain (from August 2026 for new stock, February 2027 for sale to professionals).
Is TPO banned in the UK?
Not yet, as of the current confirmed timeline. TPO is banned in the EU. In Great Britain, the ban on placing TPO-containing products on the market takes effect 15 August 2026, with professional supply ending 14 February 2027.
Is TPO-free the same as HEMA-free?
No. TPO and HEMA are different ingredients that serve different purposes in a formula. A product can be free of one and still contain the other.
Can TPO-free gel still cause an allergy?
Yes. TPO-free only means TPO has been removed. Other ingredients, including acrylates and methacrylates, can still cause sensitisation. Always follow manufacturer application guidance and avoid skin contact.
Is Astonishing Nails TPO-free?
According to current manufacturer formulation information, yes — the Astonishing Nails Gels and BIAB range, and Gelosophy Gel Polish, are formulated without TPO. Contact us for current supporting documentation.
Shop TPO-Free Gel, BIAB, and Gel Polish
Majestic Beauty & Nail Academy is the official UK distributor of Astonishing Nails, stocking the TPO-free Gels and BIAB range alongside Gelosophy Gel Polish. Browse the full range or get in touch for trade pricing and bulk ordering for your salon or academy.