Why the EU Banned TPO in Gel Nail Polish — and Why the U.S. Hasn’t (Yet)

If you’ve heard that “gel nail polish is banned in Europe,” the reality is a bit more nuanced. As of September 1, 2025, the European Union (EU) banned gel nail polishes that contain TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide), a chemical commonly used to help gel polish cure under UV or LED light. The U.S., however, has not taken similar action — and here’s why.

The EU’s Precautionary Approach

• The trigger: TPO’s classification. Under the EU’s chemical safety framework, TPO was reclassified as a Category 1B CMR substance, meaning it is “presumed to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction” based on animal studies.
  
  
• The data behind the decision. In rodent studies, high oral doses of TPO were linked to liver toxicity, reproductive issues, and developmental concerns. Even though these effects were observed in animals — not humans — the EU’s hazard-based regulatory model requires immediate restriction once a substance is classified as high-risk.
  
  
• What’s actually banned. It’s not all gel polish — only products containing TPO. Many brands are already reformulating to comply with the new rules, and TPO-free alternatives are expected to dominate the EU market going forward. In fact, several gel nail polish lines (such as Manucurist, Aprés Nail, and OPI’s Intelli-Gel system)  are already TPO-free — making them fully compliant in both the U.S. and EU.

Why the U.S. Isn’t Following Suit

• A different regulatory philosophy. U.S. regulators like the FDA take a risk-based approach rather than a hazard-based one. That means a chemical isn’t restricted unless there’s strong evidence of harm under typical real-world exposure levels.
  
  
• Exposure matters. Unlike rodents fed high doses of TPO, humans are typically exposed to much smaller amounts when gel polish is applied to nails. Once cured, TPO becomes part of a hardened polymer layer, minimizing absorption risk. There’s currently limited data showing harm from nail-specific exposure.
  
  
• Where things stand today. In the U.S., TPO-containing gel polishes remain legal and widely available, but growing consumer awareness and market pressure are already pushing brands to explore TPO-free formulations.

What This Means for Consumers and Brands

• For EU consumers: Gel manicures aren’t disappearing — you’ll simply see more TPO-free products on shelves.
  
  
• For U.S. consumers: Gel polishes containing TPO are still permitted, but many brands are proactively switching to safer alternatives.
  
  
• For brands: Multinational nail polish companies are aligning formulations across regions to simplify production and avoid regulatory conflicts.

The Bigger Picture

This regulatory divergence underscores a broader difference in philosophy:

• The EU tends to act preemptively, restricting chemicals when potential hazards are identified — even without definitive human data.
  
  
• The U.S. typically waits for stronger exposure-based evidence before enacting bans or restrictions.

While there’s no immediate indication the U.S. will follow Europe’s lead, consumer demand for “cleaner” beauty products is likely to accelerate the shift toward TPO-free gel polishes regardless.

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