The TPO Ban in Nail Products — And Why Dolla Polishes are Fully Compliant

The TPO Ban in Nail Products — And Why Dolla Polishes are Fully Compliant

There’s a lot of discussion in the nail industry right now about new cosmetic regulations and the upcoming ban on TPO. The EU has already implemented this ban from 1 September 2025, and a similar ban in the UK is expected by the end of 2026. Understandably, many nail professionals are asking whether their gel products will be affected, or if performance and safety will change.

Here’s a clear explanation — and why Dolla nail polishes remain fully compliant, safe, and unaffected.

What Is TPO — and Why Is It Being Banned?

TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) is a photoinitiator used in some UV/LED gel systems to help them cure. However, it has been reclassified in the EU as a CMR 1B substance, meaning it is considered potentially harmful based on current data. Under cosmetic law, ingredients with this classification cannot be used in cosmetic products. As a result, TPO-containing products are now banned in the EU and will likely be banned in the UK soon.

Why Dolla Nail polishes are Not Affected

Dolla nail polish formulations do not contain TPO. Instead, we use BAPO (Bis-Trimethylbenzoyl Phenylphosphine Oxide, CAS 162881-26-7), a safe, approved, EU-compliant photoinitiator. It offers the same high performance without any regulatory concerns.

This means:
• No change in curing performance
• No change in shine or durability
• No reformulation needed
• No risk of withdrawal from the market

Why BAPO Is a Better Choice

BAPO ensures:
• Strong UV/LED curing
• Long-lasting gloss and colour retention
• Non-yellowing, stable results
• Excellent adhesion and wear
• Full compliance with EU and UK cosmetic regulations

How Dolla Nails Plans Ahead

We monitor ingredient legislation and future regulatory changes early, not just when restrictions come into force. This ensures:
• No last-minute formula changes
• No disruption for nail technicians
• Reliable, safe formulations you can trust

The TPO ban is an important regulatory update, but it does not affect Dolla nail polishes. We use only approved, future-safe photoinitiators and remain fully compliant in both the EU and UK.

No TPO. No risk. Safe, high-performing, regulation-ready nail polishes.