Why Gel Nail Polish Is Now Banned in Europe—but Still Allowed in the U.S.

If you are a fan of a glossy gel manicure, you might have heard some surprising news: the European Union (EU) has banned gel nail polish as of September 2025. But here is the catch — the same ban has not been applied in the U.S., where gel manicures are still widely available. So, the question lies: why has the EU taken such a strict stance, and why has the U.S. not followed suit?

Overview of the EU’s Ban on Gel Nail Polish

The EU instituted a ban on trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) starting September 1, 2025 — meaning that gel nail polishes with TPO can no longer be sold or used by nail technicians in Europe.

This ban is extensive: it not only prohibits new sales but also requires salons to discard existing TPO-containing products immediately. The EU’s decision is part of its ongoing effort to tighten regulations on chemicals that pose potential risks to human health and the environment.

EU Bans TPO Chemical in Gel Nail Polish Over Safety Concerns

The European Union (EU) has banned the use of Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO), a chemical ingredient commonly found in gel nail polishes. TPO is a photoinitiator, meaning it helps the gel polish cure and harden under ultraviolet (UV) or LED light. Essentially, when exposed to UV or LED light, TPO absorbs the light’s energy and triggers a chemical chain reaction, linking the liquid monomers into a solid polymer network. This results in a fast, efficient, and even cure for the gel polish, dramatically helping dry faster as well as providing an ultra-glossy sheen and long-lasting result.

Why the EU Banned TPO in Gel Nail Polish

European regulators cited animal studies (mostly in rats) suggesting a potential safety concern of TPO. The studies found a risk of negative reproductive outcomes for males — but in these studies, animals were repeatedly fed TPO at high doses, which is a different exposure scenario from a much smaller amount of TPO placed on a human nail. The EU takes more of a hazard-based approach to regulation; as a result, the EU has classified TPO as a CMR 1B substance — carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction. Due to these health concerns, gel nail polishes containing TPO can no longer be sold or used in salons across EU member countries.

Why Has the U.S. Not Banned Gel Nail Polish Yet?

Unlike the EU, the U.S. has not taken regulatory action against TPO in gel nail polishes. This is largely because the U.S. follows more of a risk-based regulatory approach, which considers both the hazard and the likelihood of exposure. Essentially, in the U.S.’s perspective, the exposure conditions in these animal studies do not resemble realistic exposure scenarios in cosmetic use.

Does the U.S. have any Regulations over Cosmetic Products?

 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does regulate cosmetic products, but it has not classified TPO as a harmful substance warranting a ban. The FDA (U.S.) – 21 CFR 700.11 covers cosmetics containing prohibited or restricted ingredients (e.g., certain acrylates). Though less strict than EU rules, it is a reference for compliance in the U.S. In comparison, the EU’s legal regulation EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 includes some monomers used in UV gel polishes.

These regulations ultimately mean that salons and consumers in the U.S. can continue to enjoy gel manicures with TPO-based polishes (at least for now).

What Does This Mean for Consumers?

• European Consumers: If you live in the EU, gel manicures using TPO-based polishes are no longer an option. You might notice salons switching to alternative gel products that use different photoinitiators considered safer, or a rise in non-gel nail polish options.
• American Consumers: You can still get your favorite gel manicure with familiar formulas, but it is wise to stay informed about ingredient safety. If you are concerned about TPO or other chemicals, look for brands that openly disclose their ingredients or offer TPO-free gel polishes.

Alternatives to TPO in Gel Nail Polish

The nail care industry is already exploring safer alternatives to TPO, such as:

• Phenylbis (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (BAPO)
• Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide (TMBPO)
• Other photoinitiators with lower health risks

These substitutes aim to maintain the long-lasting, glossy finish that gel nails are known for while improving safety standards.

EU Gel Nail Polish Ban Raises Global Awareness on Cosmetic Chemical Safety

The EU’s gel nail polish ban highlights growing concerns about chemical safety in cosmetic products and reflects stricter regulatory approaches overseas. While the U.S. market remains unaffected for now, consumers everywhere should stay informed about the ingredients in their beauty products.

If you love gel nails, it is worth following these developments — not only for your health but to support safer beauty industry practices worldwide. Cosmetic safety standards do just that; they seek to assure that cosmetic products like nail polish are safe for consumers and consistently meet high-quality standards. This is achieved by providing guidelines for a quality management system that covers all aspects of cosmetic production, from manufacturing and storage to control and distribution, thereby minimizing contamination and product risks.

Cosmetic Product Safety Standards

Some experts suggest that nail polish manufacturers might now voluntarily reformulate their products to avoid potential future restrictions and to reassure safety-conscious consumers. When doing so, the following ISO standards are essential for assuring the safety, quality, and transparency of nail polish products:

ISO 22716: 2007— Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in the Cosmetics Industry

ISO 22716 covers guidelines for the production, control, storage, and shipment of cosmetic products. This standard assures product quality and safety; aligns with EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.  

Furthermore, ISO/TR 24475 covers safety concerns specific to nail products, including UV-curable gels and acrylics. It focuses on allergens, phototoxicity, and inhalation risks. ISO/TR 24475 is intended to complement personal involvement and reasoning in the implementation of ISO 22716.

You can learn more about ISO 22716 in our blog post: ISO 22716:2007— Manufacturing Practices for Cosmetics.

ISO 16128 — Natural and Organic Cosmetics

ISO 16128-1 and ISO 16128-2 establish guidelines on natural and organic cosmetics. These ISO 16128 standards define natural origin content and helps in transparent labeling.

You can learn more about ISO 16128-1 and ISO 16128-2 in our blog post: ISO 16128-1:2016—Cosmetic Ingredients And Products.