Reformulating the Future: What the TPO Ban Means for Nail Professionals

In September 2025, the European Union will enact a major regulatory shift that will redefine the nail industry’s chemistry and safety standards. The EU’s ban on Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO), a photo initiator widely used in gel nail products, marks a pivotal moment for professionals, brands, and consumers across Europe.

The ban, effective September 1, 2025, prohibits the sale, distribution, and professional use of any nail gel containing TPO within the EU. The decision follows the chemical’s classification as a substance of concern, based on studies linking it to potential reproductive toxicity in animals. For many brands, this ruling has set in motion a wave of reformulation and transparency initiatives, signalling a new era of accountability and innovation in professional beauty chemistry.

While the ban applies exclusively within the EU, TPO remains approved for use in Canada, the United States, and the UK, where regulatory agencies continue to consider it safe within existing cosmetic limits. However, as awareness grows, consumers worldwide are beginning to look more closely at ingredient lists, seeking “TPO-free” products as a sign of safety and progress.

For professionals in Europe, the impact is immediate and operational. Salons and distributors must cease using or selling TPO-containing gels by the enforcement date — no grace period, no exceptions. This shift will require salons to update service menus, replace stock, and train teams on reformulated products. Distributors may face short-term supply disruptions as the industry transitions to TPO alternatives, such as TPO-L, which can influence curing time, gloss, and colour stability.

One brand, however, stands ahead of the curve: Bio Sculpture. The pioneering professional nail brand has long aligned its product development with the strictest EU cosmetic regulations, ensuring safety, performance, and transparency remain central to its global identity.

“Bio Sculpture products are always formulated based on EU guidelines, which means we’re usually years ahead of evolving cosmetic regulations,” says Erica Nieuwenhuis, CEO of Bio Sculpture Canada. “The majority of our gels have never contained TPO, and the one that once did has already been reformulated. Today, all Bio Sculpture products are 100% TPO-free.”

Nieuwenhuis further notes that the EU’s ruling is likely a precursor to similar actions elsewhere. “It’s only a matter of time before TPO is banned in other regions,” she adds. “For example, in the UK, a ban is expected by late 2026 or early 2027.”

This foresight underscores Bio Sculpture’s longstanding commitment to health, safety, and innovation. As other brands scramble to adjust, Bio Sculpture continues to lead, offering professionals and consumers peace of mind without compromising performance or aesthetics.

For the global nail community, the TPO ban is more than a regulatory update; it’s a defining moment. It highlights the growing importance of ethical formulation, ingredient transparency, and science-backed artistry in professional beauty. And while the chemistry of the future may evolve, Bio Sculpture’s message remains clear: true innovation doesn’t wait for the rules to change, it sets the standard for what’s next.