Why Has The EU Banned Some Gel Nail Polishes, And Will It Happen In The UK?
Starting from 1 September 2025, EU member states, as well as Norway and Switzerland, have banned all nail products containing trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide or TPO.
This includes any leftover nail polish with TPO that salons may still have in stock.
The UK is no longer a part of the EU, though Northern Ireland follows the same rules for goods and chemicals as the EU.
So, why have TPOs been banned, and will it happen in the rest of the UK?
Why have some gel polishes been banned in the EU?
TPOs help gel nail polishes to dry faster under UV light. It can also make the surface of the polish harder and less likely to chip, as well as giving it a glossy appearance.
TPOs, therefore, give people who opt for a gel manicure a shiny, long-lasting finish – properties many who choose the treatment want.
Some animal studies have suggested a link between TPOs and infertility.
As a result, the EU has classed TPOs as a category 1B CMR (carcinogen, mutagen, reprotoxic). Category 1A means the effects have been proven, while 1B means they are presumed.
Other CMR category 1B products include formaldehyde.
Does this mean gel manicures are banned?
No. It’s possible to get a gel manicure without using polishes that include TPO as an ingredient.
Will the TPO gel manicure ban reach the UK?
Speaking to the BBC, consultant dermatologist at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, Dr Naila Dinani, said: “In the UK, there isn’t a ban at the moment. But because we often follow the EU on safety rules, it’s quite possible the same change will come here in the future.”
The broadcaster added that there is some talk of a UK ban late in 2026, though there has been no set date.
Officially, however, we don’t know for sure whether the ban will reach the rest of the UK (besides Northern Ireland), though it seems likely.