-13592.jpg)
The TPO ban – how it affects ABT members
Following questions from members regarding the use of nail products formulated using Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO), ABT has issued the following information:
TPO is a photo inhibitor that assists gel to harden and cure under UV and LED light whilst also delivering anti-yellowing properties.
In England, Wales and Scotland, following the publication of Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) No:1223/2009 (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026[1], a ban on the inclusion of TPO in nail products will come into force as follows:
15th August 2026: Manufacturing products formulated with TPO is prohibited.
By the end 14th February 2027: Distributors/suppliers must cease selling products containing TPO. Nail technicians must not purchase nail products containing TPO or continue to use products containing TPO.
The manufacture, distribution and use of such products in Northern Ireland is governed by Article 15 of the EU Cosmetics Regulation[2], with a ban being in place since 1st September 2025.
Nail gels and gel polishes formulated without TPO are not affected by this ban.
How this affects your ABT insurance
As outlined above, you may continue to use nail products formulated with TPO until the ban comes into force on 14th February 2027.
After this date, such products will become illegal. As per ABT's Policy Wording, if you use illegal products in your treatments, your insurance will not cover you for any claim, loss, liability or any costs caused by or resulting from such activity. Please consult your Policy Wording[3] for full details.
Therefore, to comply with the requirements of your ABT policy, professionals in England, Wales and Scotland must cease using products containing TPO in their professional treatments by 14th February 2027. As stated above, ABT members in Northern Ireland should have stopped using such products from 1st September 2025.
We would guide ABT policyholders to transition to alternative nail products, which are widely available from reputable suppliers as soon as practically possible ahead of the complete ban.
The background to the ban
Laboratory tests on rats which ingested TPO showed potential reproductive toxicity, leading the EU to reclassify the chemical as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant[4]. However, the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety[5] concluded that “Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) is safe when used as a nail modelling product at a concentration of at maximum 5.0%.”
Despite this, from 1st September 2025 the EU banned the use of Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO) in nail products manufactured and sold within the EU cosmetics market. Although the UK has left the European Union, government has continued to adopt this legislation.
How to tell whether products include TPO
Read the INCI and SDS lists for your products and check whether any of these references to TPO are listed as an ingredient:
•
Diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide
•
(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) diphenylphosphine oxide
•
2,4,6-Trimethyl benzoyldiphenyl phosphine oxide
If you're still not sure, contact your product supplier who will advise you appropriately.
The team ABT are on hand to answer any further questions you may have regarding your insurance policy and membership benefits. You can contact us through Live Chat at
www.abtinsurance.co.uk (Monday-Friday, 9am -5pm), via email at
info@abtinsurance.co.uk, call us on 01789 773573 or message us
@abtinsurance.
1. The Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026
2. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products (recast) (Text with EEA relevance)
5. TPO in Nail Products – Questions & Answers - Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
