(Update 12/03/2026)

As part of our ongoing commitment to product safety and compliance with evolving cosmetic regulations, we are sharing important updates regarding the ban of the ingredient Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO) in nail products across the European Union and the UK.

It is important to note that the ban is a precautionary measure, not the result of any widespread safety issues in the nail industry. When used correctly by trained professionals, TPO-containing products have demonstrated a strong safety profile.

Caroline Rainsford, Director of Science at CTPA says: “The reason why TPO has been banned in cosmetic products in the EU is based on its hazardous properties, meaning how a substance might behave under a "worst case" situation when our bodies are exposed to a very large amount.  This is not how TPO is used in cosmetics.  The amount of this ingredient used in nail products is over a thousand times less than the amount which could have any negative effect on fertility and these products are applied to the nail, so the potential for the ingredient to be absorbed into our bodies is even smaller. All these factors are taken into account through the legally-required, robust safety assessment which all cosmetic products must undergo before being sold, by a duly qualified and experienced safety assessor.” 

The prohibition on TPO has taken effect in the EU since the 1st of September 2025 and will take effect in the UK from 14th of February 2027.

UK Customers & Your Clients 

• Practising nail technicians in Great Britain will not be able to purchase products containing TPO after 14 February 2027.  However, professionals operating in Great Britain can still use any products they have already purchased after this date, and these products remain safe to use.
• The Manicure Company TPO FREE formulas have been on the market in the UK since 2025, well ahead of the TPO ban, and you most likely have already been using this new formula.
  
• If you are concerned and wish to avoid TPO-containing products ahead of the February 2027 date, we have detailed below how you can identify TPO in our past formulas.
• We are here to help, so if you need advice or have concerns, please reach out to us.

EU Customers & Your Clients 

• New formulations are already in place. We have proactively reformulated affected products using a new and fully compliant photoinitiator. This alternative delivers the same high-performance results and ensures full compliance with the updated regulations. This reformulation has been in place across our affected products since 2024 and since September 1st all TMC products you purchase are TPO-FREE.
• There is no need to panic. Products containing TPO currently in use remain safe when applied correctly. 
• No immediate disposal required. If you currently own or use a product containing TPO, you may continue to use it safely up until September 1st.

How do I know which of my TMC products contain TPO?

There were 3 products in our range which contained TPO.

• Original Gel Polish System
• Builder Base
• Gel Liners

These products were updated in the latter part of 2024 to remove TPO, and you can quickly check if your product is TPO-free by looking at the batch number. All TMC products with batch numbers ending in 25 or from B13A24 and after (B14A24, B15, etc) are all TPO-free. If your product has a batch number which is B12A24 or before (B11A24, B10 etc) this product contains TPO if it is one for the 3 ranges listed above. 

You can also check the ingredients of each product.

• TPO the old photoinitiator, will be listed as Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide
• TPO-L the new photoinitiator, will be listed as Ethyl Trimethylbenzoyl Phenylphosphinate 

We understand that regulatory changes can raise questions, and we are here to support professionals through this transition. If you have any questions or concerns relating to this change, please do reach out to our team, who will be happy to advise you further.