SAEDNEWS: The European Commission’s Omnibus VII amendment has put Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide — widely known as TPO — onto the EU list of prohibited cosmetic ingredients; the ban takes effect across member states from 1 September 2025.
According to SaedNews, the move follows a harmonised classification of TPO as a CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction) substance, which automatically triggers a prohibition of its use in cosmetics under the EU Cosmetics Regulation. The change was published in Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/877 and reinforced by the Commission’s practical Q&A for affected businesses and enforcement authorities. Salon owners, distributors and manufacturers must ensure TPO-containing products are no longer placed on the EU market from Sept. 1 and should withdraw or stop selling existing stocks.
Regulators and national competent authorities (for example Ireland’s HPRA) have already flagged TPO in their public guidance and instructed industry to transition to approved alternatives and comply with recall/withdrawal procedures where necessary. The EU and industry briefings note that several photoinitiator alternatives (and TPO-free gel formulas) are already available, and many major brands are reformulating to keep products marketable in the EU.
Member states are responsible for enforcement and for setting penalties for non-compliance under the Cosmetics Regulation; that means fines, product withdrawal orders or other sanctions will depend on national implementation and competent-authority practice. Industry advisory groups and responsible-person services have published checklists for how to handle non-compliant stock and maintain regulatory records.
Item | Summary |
|---|---|
Substance banned | Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO) — a photoinitiator commonly used in gel/UV polishes. |
Legal basis | Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/877 (Omnibus VII) amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 — effective 1 Sept 2025. |
Why banned | Harmonised classification as a CMR substance (carcinogenic/mutagenic/toxic for reproduction) → prohibited in cosmetics under the Cosmetics Regulation. |
Who’s affected | Manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and nail salons across the EU (and companies exporting to the EU). |
Immediate action | Do not place TPO-containing cosmetics on the EU market after 1 Sept; recall/withdraw existing stock and switch to TPO-free alternatives. |
Inventory audit (now): Identify any product with TPO on the ingredient list or supplier specification. If unsure, request a Certificate of Analysis or manufacturer confirmation.
Cease placing on market (by 1 Sept): Do not sell or apply any gel product containing TPO in the EU after the effective date.
Withdraw/recall or dispose: Follow national competent authority guidance for withdrawal or safe disposal (some authorities advise destruction; others allow return to responsible person/manufacturer). Keep records.
Switch to alternatives: Use TPO-free photoinitiators or reformulated gel systems already marketed as TPO-free. Check product performance and safety data.
Update PIFs & labeling: Responsible Persons must update Product Information Files, labels and safety data sheets to reflect new formulations and ensure claims are accurate for EU market compliance.
Communicate with customers: Be transparent with clients: explain the safety-driven regulation, any appointment delays, and alternative services available.
Alternatives: Several photoinitiators and TPO-free gel formulations are available; brands and labs are promoting benzoyl peroxide (BPO)-based systems or other photoinitiators with more favourable classifications. Confirm performance and patch-test for allergies.
Safety caveat: The EU’s decision is precautionary: many industry scientists note the classification relied on animal data and hazard assessments; human epidemiological evidence is limited. The EU regulatory framework prioritises precaution for CMR-classified substances.
