Nail salons across England, Scotland and Wales are entering a major regulatory change after the UK TPO gel polish ban took effect on 15 August 2026, restricting the introduction of new cosmetic products containing Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide, commonly known as TPO, onto the Great Britain market.
The change affects certain gel polishes and other UV or LED-cured nail products in which TPO is used as a photoinitiator, helping the product harden under a curing lamp.
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The new restriction does not amount to a ban on gel manicures themselves. Instead, it targets a particular ingredient that has been classified under chemicals legislation as potentially toxic to reproduction.
TPO has been used in nail products because of its ability to help gel formulations cure efficiently when exposed to UV or LED light. Products that do not contain the substance are not affected by the new rule.
The UK Government’s regulations place TPO among substances prohibited in cosmetic products.
The legislation also provides a transition period for products containing the affected substances that were already placed on the Great Britain market before the relevant deadline.
That transition is particularly important for salons. Products containing TPO 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.
Industry guidance says this allows businesses time to work through qualifying existing stock while moving to compliant alternatives.
The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association has stressed that the regulatory change should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that every existing TPO-containing manicure is unsafe.
Caroline Rainsford, Director of Science at the CTPA, said the decision was based on the chemical’s hazardous properties under a worst-case exposure scenario.
“The reason why TPO has been banned in cosmetic products in the EU is based on its hazardous properties,” Rainsford said, adding that the level used in nail products is very low and that the products are applied to the nail.
The CTPA said the ban was based on extreme caution and did not mean that existing cosmetic products containing TPO were necessarily unsafe when used as intended.
The organisation also noted that a previous Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety assessment had concluded that TPO was safe under the conditions assessed at the time.
The regulatory position has nevertheless changed following TPO’s classification under chemicals legislation.
The UK Government’s broader cosmetics framework states that cosmetic products placed on the Great Britain market must meet safety requirements and comply with restrictions on prohibited substances.
For salon owners, the immediate task is to review stock and ingredient lists.
Industry guidance recommends checking products including gel polishes, builder gels, base coats, top coats and other UV or LED-cured systems for the ingredient’s full name, Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide.
Not every gel product contains TPO, meaning customers should not assume that all gel manicures are affected. Salon professionals can ask manufacturers or suppliers to confirm whether particular products contain the restricted ingredient and whether replacement formulations comply with the new rules.
Manufacturers have already been reformulating products for markets where TPO restrictions are in place. Alternatives such as TPO-L and BAPO are being used in some nail systems, allowing salons to retain the familiar curing process while moving away from TPO.
The change follows the European Union’s earlier action. The EU prohibited TPO in cosmetic products from 1 September 2025, making the ingredient an increasingly significant compliance issue for international nail-product manufacturers and professional beauty businesses.
Great Britain has adopted its own timetable rather than simply applying the EU rule directly.
The August 2026 deadline prevents new TPO-containing cosmetic products from being placed on the GB market, while the February 2027 date marks the end of the transitional period for qualifying products already placed on the market.
The distinction matters because the popular description of the development as a “nail polish ban” can be misleading. Gel polish remains available, provided the formulation complies with the applicable cosmetics rules.
The Government’s cosmetics guidance also makes clear that products used professionally on members of the public fall within the wider cosmetics regulatory framework.
Businesses are responsible for ensuring that products they make available comply with the relevant requirements.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards continues to oversee aspects of cosmetics compliance in Great Britain.
In July, the regulator published updated data on cosmetic product notifications and highlighted action taken where products contained prohibited chemicals or businesses supplied incorrect information.
For consumers, the change is therefore more likely to be felt through the products a salon uses rather than through the disappearance of gel manicures.
As the 14 February 2027 deadline approaches, salons will need to ensure their remaining stock and future purchases meet the new requirements.
Manufacturers and suppliers, meanwhile, face pressure to provide clear ingredient information and dependable TPO-free alternatives.
The result is a significant shift for Britain’s nail industry, but not the end of gel manicures.
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Instead, the transition marks a move towards new formulations as regulators, manufacturers and salon professionals adjust to tighter rules surrounding cosmetic ingredients.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
