If you’ve had an email from a nail brand or supplier about the TPO ban and then found yourself scrolling online to figure out what it actually means for your kit, you’re definitely not the only one.
There’s been a lot of chat about TPO in the nail world, but not all the info online is about Great Britain - some of it’s for the EU, and some articles are out of date now the final GB deadlines are set.
So what do nail pros in England, Scotland and Wales actually need to know?
The new rules are here. From 15 August 2026, you can’t buy new cosmetic products with TPO in Great Britain. Anything already on the market before that date can still be sold until 14 February 2027.
And there's another question that's particularly important if you already have TPO products in your salon:
Can you still use them on clients?
Let’s break it down below.
Here’s what the TPO ban means for your products, your salon, and your next stock order.
What Is TPO and Why Has It Been Banned?
TPO stands for Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide.
It’s a photoinitiator used in some UV and LED-curable nail products. Basically, it reacts to light and kicks off the chemical process that lets gel cure properly.
You may therefore find TPO in the formulations of some gel polishes, builder gels and other UV/LED-cured nail systems.
But not every gel product contains TPO. Formulas vary between brands and even within the same brand, so always check the INCI list for each product instead of assuming the whole range is affected.
TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) explained
TPO isn't a new ingredient.
It has previously been permitted for professional use in artificial nail systems, subject to restrictions. Under earlier European cosmetics legislation, professional use in artificial nail systems was permitted at concentrations up to 5%.
What’s changed is how it’s classified by regulators.
TPO has now been added to the list of substances prohibited in cosmetic products in Great Britain as part of a wider update affecting substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction – commonly referred to as CMR substances.
SI 2026/23: the statutory instrument that bans TPO
The Great Britain change was introduced through The Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026, known as SI 2026/23.
The statutory instrument was dated 12 January 2026 and subsequently laid before Parliament.
For TPO, the key date was 15 August 2026, when the relevant prohibition took effect.
TPO and the 16 newly prohibited CMR substances
TPO isn't the only substance covered by this particular part of the regulation.
SI 2026/23 added 16 CMR substances to Annex II of the Great Britain Cosmetics Regulation, meaning they are prohibited for use in cosmetic products.
TPO matters for nail pros because it’s been used in lots of professional nail products.
It’s important to know the ban doesn’t mean every TPO nail product was suddenly found unsafe.
CTPA explains that the prohibition is based on TPO's hazard classification and describes the regulatory approach as one of extreme caution.
For the wider regulatory picture, see our UK Cosmetics Regulation 2026 guide.
The Two TPO Deadlines: What Each One Means
This is where a lot of the confusion about the TPO ban starts.
There isn't just one Great Britain date.
There are two.
15 August 2026: no new TPO products placed on the GB market
The first deadline has now passed.
From 15 August 2026, cosmetic products containing TPO can no longer be placed on the market in Great Britain for the first time.
In practice, this means brands and suppliers can’t bring new TPO products onto the GB market after this date.
But that doesn’t mean every TPO product vanished from salon suppliers overnight.
Products that had already been legally placed on the GB market before 15 August can continue through the supply chain during the transitional period.
14 February 2027: the off-shelf deadline
The second date is 14 February 2027.
TPO-containing cosmetic products that were legally placed on the Great Britain market before 15 August 2026 can continue to be made available until the end of 14 February 2027.
For nail pros, that means you can still buy qualifying TPO stock from GB suppliers during this transition period.
After 14 February 2027, you won’t be able to buy TPO-containing products from distributors anymore.
What about existing TPO stock between the two dates?
Here’s the big question when you’re looking at your nail shelf:
“I've already got gel products containing TPO. Can I still use them?”
For professionals operating in Great Britain, current CTPA guidance says yes.
CTPA's interpretation, which it says it has discussed with and aligns with Trading Standards, is that professional nail technicians can continue to use TPO-containing products on clients. During the current transition period, qualifying stock that was legally placed on the GB market before 15 August 2026 can also continue to move through the supply chain until 14 February 2027.
And importantly, CTPA's current interpretation goes further: after 14 February 2027, professionals in Great Britain may continue using TPO products they already purchased, but cannot purchase further TPO-containing stock from distributors. BABTAC currently gives the same guidance.
That makes the GB position different from the one that caused so much discussion when the EU ban came into force.
The European Commission's interpretation of EU law is stricter. Its guidance says professional use of a TPO-containing cosmetic product on a client constitutes making the product available in the course of commercial activity, meaning professional use couldn't continue in the EU after its prohibition took effect on 1 September 2025, even for stock purchased beforehand.
So don’t assume EU rules apply to your salon in England, Scotland or Wales.
As of 9 September 2026, current CTPA and BABTAC guidance supports continued professional use of existing stock in Great Britain, including stock already purchased before the February 2027 deadline after that deadline has passed.
Since the rules can change, keep checking the latest professional guidance as we get closer to February.
Which Nail and Gel Products Contain TPO?
There's no simple rule that says one particular type of nail product contains TPO, and another doesn't.
Depending on the formulation, TPO may be found in some UV/LED-cured products, including:
- gel polishes
- builder gels
- nail enhancement gels
- base or top products
- other UV/LED-curable nail systems.
The key word here is some.
Don’t ditch a whole product category just because you’ve heard TPO is linked to gel nails. Different formulas even from the same brand can have totally different ingredient lists.
For example, a brand may have an older formulation containing TPO alongside a newer TPO-free version.
What matters is the bottle in front of you.
How to Check Your Products Using the INCI List
If you're auditing your nail kit, start with the product's INCI ingredient list.
The name you're looking for is:
Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide
You may also see the ingredient discussed as TPO, but the full INCI name is the most useful thing to look for when checking product information.
Go through your collection one by one instead of relying on what you’ve seen online.
Check the bottle, packaging or manufacturer's current ingredient information for each individual product.
If you’ve got different versions of the same product, don’t assume they’re the same.
Reformulations mean an older bottle and a new one might have different ingredients.
If the information isn't clear, contact the manufacturer or your professional supplier with the exact product details.
I Have TPO Products in My Nail Kit Right Now. What Should I Do?
First: don’t panic and don’t just throw them out.
For a nail professional in England, Scotland or Wales, the practical steps are:
- Check the INCI list and separate products that contain Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide from those that don't.
- Keep records of where and when your stock was purchased, particularly during the transitional period.
- Check current manufacturer information for products that have recently been reformulated.
- Start swapping your replacement purchases for TPO-free options, instead of stocking up on formulas that are on their way out.
- Keep up with current CTPA, BABTAC and supplier guidance as the February 2027 deadline approaches.
Current GB guidance doesn’t mean you have to bin your TPO stock just because 15 August has come and gone.
That’s a much better place to start than panic-buying or tossing out perfectly good pro stock before you need to.
What Are the TPO-Free Alternatives?
The pro nail market has already been shifting to TPO-free formulas, so salons aren’t waiting around for alternatives.
TPO-free options are available across areas such as:
- gel polish
- builder gel
- BIAB-style systems
- extension and overlay products.
When choosing an alternative, don’t just look for the words “TPO-free.” Consider its complete formulation, curing requirements, lamp compatibility, application method and manufacturer instructions.
If you switch systems or formulas, make sure everyone in your salon knows the right application and curing steps.
TPO-free products available at Salons Direct
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How Can Nail Salons Prepare for the TPO Ban?
The first deadline may have passed, but there's still plenty of time to make the transition manageable.
Start by checking your current products and spotting any with TPO. Then see which ones you actually use and which need replacing soon.
Instead of stocking up on old formulas just because they’re still available, start moving your replacement buys to TPO-free options.
Make sure your whole team knows the two GB deadlines. 15 August 2026 and 14 February 2027 mean different things, and mixing them up could lead to wasted stock or giving clients the wrong info.
Keep invoices and supplier information for your stock and follow current guidance from professional bodies as the transition progresses.
How to Transition to TPO-Free Products
Switching formulas doesn’t mean you have to swap out your whole nail collection overnight.
Start with the products you use most, maybe your go-to builder or your most popular gel colours, and bring in TPO-free replacements as you run low.
When you try a reformulated product, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions; don’t assume it works the same as the old formula.
It’s also a good time to double-check you’re using the right lamp and curing system for your products.
The goal isn’t to panic-buy a whole new kit.
It’s to make sure that as your old products run out, you’re replacing them with options that fit the new rules.
What About the Formaldehyde Labelling Change?
TPO isn't the only cosmetics regulation change salon professionals may have heard about in 2026.
From 15 July 2026, Great Britain also introduced a lower threshold for when relevant cosmetic products containing formaldehyde-releasing preservatives must display the warning “releases formaldehyde”.
The threshold fell from 0.05% to 0.001%.
This is a totally separate rule from the TPO ban.
So if you’re checking your stock because of the 2026 updates, don’t assume the same rules or deadlines apply to both changes.
FAQ: TPO Nail Ingredient Ban
What is TPO?
TPO stands for Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide. It's a photoinitiator used in some UV- and LED-cured nail products to help initiate the curing process.
When did the TPO ban take effect in Great Britain?
The first GB deadline was 15 August 2026. From this date, cosmetic products containing TPO could no longer be placed on the Great Britain market.
Existing products legally placed on the market before the deadline can continue to be made available until 14 February 2027.
Can I still buy nail products containing TPO?
During the current Great Britain transitional period, TPO-containing products that were legally placed on the market before 15 August 2026 can continue to be supplied until 14 February 2027.
After that date, nail professionals in Great Britain should no longer be able to purchase TPO-containing cosmetic products from distributors.
Can I still use existing TPO stock after 15 August 2026?
According to current CTPA guidance for Great Britain, yes.
CTPA's interpretation, aligned with Trading Standards, allows professionals to continue using TPO-containing stock on clients.
Can I use TPO products after 14 February 2027?
Under current CTPA and BABTAC guidance for Great Britain, professionals may continue to use products they purchased before the deadline, although they can no longer purchase further TPO-containing products from distributors after the off-shelf deadline.
This differs from the European Commission's interpretation under the EU regime, which treats professional use on a client as making the product available in the course of commercial activity.
How do I know if a nail product contains TPO?
Check the product's INCI list for Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide.
Don't assume that every gel from a particular category or even every version of a product contains TPO. Check the individual formula you're using.
Are TPO-free alternatives available?
Yes. Professional brands have already introduced TPO-free formulations across gel polish, builder gel and other UV/LED-cured systems.
When changing products, follow the individual manufacturer's application and curing instructions.
Does the TPO ban apply across the whole UK in the same way?
No.
The dates in this article relate to Great Britain – England, Scotland and Wales.
Northern Ireland follows the relevant EU cosmetics rules under the Windsor Framework, and the EU TPO prohibition has applied since 1 September 2025.
What Nail Professionals Need to Remember
There’s been a lot of noise about the TPO ban, but it’s much easier to manage in Great Britain once you know the two deadlines.
15 August 2026: new TPO-containing cosmetic products can no longer be placed on the GB market.
14 February 2027: the transitional period for making qualifying existing TPO products available ends.
And under current CTPA and BABTAC guidance, nail pros in Great Britain can keep using TPO stock they already own after the second deadline—they just can’t buy more from distributors.
So the practical response isn't to panic or clear your kit overnight.
Check your INCI lists, identify which products you own that contain TPO, keep good purchase records, and start transitioning to TPO-free alternatives as you replenish your professional stock.
Guidance last checked: 9 September 2026.
For further regulatory information, you can read the CTPA guidance on professional use of TPO stock in Great Britain and BABTAC's guidance for the UK nail sector.
Please note: This article is intended as general information for nail and beauty professionals and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice.
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