- A key chemical ingredient used in gel nail polishes, Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), has been banned across England, Wales, and Scotland, preventing manufacturers from selling any new products containing the substance.
- The ingredient acts as a photoinitiator that allows gel polish to cure under ultraviolet light for increased durability, but regulators acted after animal studies linked the chemical to potential long-term fertility and reproductive issues.
- The regulation will not end gel manicures in the UK, as the ban is being phased in gradually to allow salons to use up existing TPO stocks until 14 February 2027, while TPO-free alternatives are already widely available.
- The restriction brings Great Britain into alignment with the European Union, which banned TPO in September 2025, although the ingredient remains permitted for cosmetic use in the US, Australia, and Asia.
- Industry bodies such as the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association have reassured the public, noting that exposure levels during standard nail treatments are over a thousand times lower than those causing harm in safety studies.
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