Brussels – Belgium – The European Union has instituted an immediate ban on trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), a widely used component in gel nail polishes that helps them cure quickly and retain a high-gloss finish.
Regulators classified TPO as potentially harmful—possibly carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction—based on animal studies, prompting an outright ban across all 27 EU member states, as well as countries that mirror its regulations. Nail salons must now dispose of all TPO-containing products and transition to safer formulations. Existing stock must be discarded immediately, with no grace period provided.
The decision reflects the EU’s precaution-first approach to cosmetic safety, opting to restrict potentially risky substances before definitive human impact studies are available. Though TPO remains legal in the United States, leading industry voices and regulatory watchers suggest the ban could influence manufacturers who export or supply products internationally—prompting reformulations to maintain consistency across markets.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.