If you’re hearing more about TPO and aren’t sure what it means for your salon, you’re not alone. But here’s what matters: the UK TPO ban is coming in just weeks. This is no longer a future concern – it’s happening now. Here’s what every UK and EU technician needs to know.

What Is TPO?

TPO is a photoinitiator – the ingredient that makes your gel polish cure. When your client puts her nails under the lamp, TPO absorbs the UV or LED light and starts the hardening process. Without it, gel polish wouldn’t set at all. It’s been the industry standard for years because it works fast and reliably.

Why Is TPO Being Regulated?

TPO has been banned from cosmetic products in the EU since 1 September 2025, and will be banned in Great Britain from 15 August 2026.

The ban is based on safety classification. TPO has been classified as a CMR 1B substance – meaning it’s considered to have potential carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive toxicity properties based on animal studies. The EU takes a precautionary approach with cosmetics and restricts these substances by default.

This affects you right now:

• EU technicians: The ban is already in force. TPO products cannot be supplied, imported, or used.
• UK technicians: You have until 15 August 2026 (just weeks away). After that date, products containing TPO cannot be placed on the market in Great Britain

What Replaces TPO?

The industry standard replacement is TPO-L – a chemically different photoinitiator that isn’t subject to the ban. It cures just as reliably as TPO and meets all EU and UK regulations. BAPO is another permitted alternative in the same family.

Important: Not all “PO” photoinitiators are the same. They’re in the same molecular family but have different structures and safety classifications. TPO is banned. TPO-L and BAPO are fully compliant.

Will Your Clients Notice a Difference?

No. Properly reformulated gel polish performs identically to TPO versions – same curing times, same adhesion, same wear. This has been tested and confirmed across the industry. If a gel feels different after reformulation, it’s usually because of other formula tweaks, not the photoinitiator change.

What This Means for Your Salon – Urgently

If you’re in the EU: You’re operating under the ban now. Any stock containing TPO must be withdrawn from circulation immediately. You cannot use it, even if it was purchased before 1 September 2025.

If you’re in the UK:

• August 15, 2026: Manufacturers and importers can no longer place new batches of products containing TPO onto the market.
  February 14, 2027: Final off-shelf deadline for distributors, wholesalers, and retailers to sell or supply existing TPO-containing stock.
  After February 14, 2027: Practicing nail technicians cannot purchase new TPO products, but there is no legal ban preventing them from using up any TPO products they already own prior to this date.

Action needed now:

1. Check every product label and safety data sheet for TPO (listed as Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide)
2. Switch to TPO-free alternatives immediately
3. Confirm with your supplier that all replacements are compliant

Bold Berry TPO-Free Gels – Your Solution

At Bold Berry, we’ve reformulated our entire gel polish range to give you compliant, high-performance products your clients will love.

Bold Berry Gel Polish is now fully TPO-free with a comprehensive colour spectrum. These gels deliver the vibrant, long-lasting finish professional technicians trust – without regulatory risk or safety concerns. Whether you’re building everyday looks or creating statement designs, our reformulated range gives you the quality and reliability you depend on.

Our formulations are designed specifically for UK and EU professionals who need gels that work brilliantly and comply completely.

The Bottom Line

TPO is banned in the EU (effective 1 September 2025) and will be banned in the UK (effective 15 August 2026). If you haven’t already switched to TPO-free products, you need to do so immediately. TPO-L is the proven alternative with zero performance difference.

Don’t wait. The deadline is just weeks away.

Switch to Bold Berry TPO-free gel polish now and ensure your salon stays compliant, your clients stay safe, and your business keeps running smoothly

You can buy from our reseller- – VLDirect here