The EU ban on TPO takes effect on 1 September 2025. Get the facts about what this means for your salon, your treatments, and your existing nail product inventory.
Product safety is becoming increasingly important in the beauty industry - and in 2025, one word in particular has sparked debate: TPO. We’ve gathered answers to the most frequently asked questions, so you as a professional nail technician or salon owner can easily get an overview of what TPO is, why it’s being banned, and what it means for you and your services.
1. What is TPO?
TPO stands for Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide and is a photoinitiator used to activate the curing process in UV-curable nail products such as gels and gel polish.
2. Why is TPO being banned?
Laboratory tests dating back to 2014 indicated that uncured TPO may potentially cause allergic reactions when in contact with skin. For this reason, the EU has decided to ban TPO in all professional nail products from 1 September 2025. Unlike previous bans, such as HEMA, which only applied to consumer products, this ban also covers products used by professional technicians.
3. Is the ban only valid in Finland?
No. The ban on TPO applies throughout the entire EU and affects all professional operators in the beauty industry, regardless of certification or education level.
4. Can I still use my TPO-containing products until 1 September 2025?
Yes, you are legally allowed to use your existing TPO-containing products until 1 September.
5. Are there TPO-containing products in the range I buy from Insight Cosmetics Group?
CND™ and Light Elegance™ have been actively phasing out TPO from their product lines for several years. Many of our bestsellers are already TPO-free, and by the end of August, it will no longer be possible to purchase any products containing TPO from us.
6. How can I see if a product contains TPO?
To make it easy for you as a professional, we have created a TPO SALE category on our webshop - find the link here, where you’ll find all products containing TPO - categorized by brand and product type. These products are also clearly marked with “CONTAINS TPO” in both the product name and description. In addition, the product text includes the following warning:"IMPORTANT: This product contains TPO, which is banned in nail products for professional use as of 1 September 2025!"
For CND Shellac® gel polish, the ingredient list is only shown on the outer packaging. However, from August, the ingredient lists will also be available directly on each product page under “Ingredients.” If you need documentation for regulatory purposes, you’ll find MSDS sheets here, and you’re always welcome to contact our customer service.
7. Will there be replacements for the TPO-containing products?
CND and Light Elegance are currently reformulating their gel polishes and gels - without compromising on quality or performance - so that TPO is completely phased out. Most products are already available as TPO-free versions on our webshop, and the remaining items will arrive at our warehouse as soon as possible. These products will not be replaced with new versions, but will remain exactly as you know and love them.
8. What should I do with products I already have?
You may continue using your TPO-containing products until 1 September 2025. After this date, they can no longer be used professionally. We recommend that you dispose of them as chemical waste in accordance with your local environmental regulations. Contact your municipality for proper disposal guidance.
9. What about BIS-TPO?
Some are asking about BIS-TPO. This variant is classified as BAPO and is not included in the ban, as it contains only one phosphorus component - unlike TPO (Diphenyl), which contains two. This means that gel polish and gel products using this technology may still be used legally.
10. Are CND and Light Elegance safe to use?
Yes. Both CND™ and Light Elegance™ are internationally recognized for their extremely low allergy risk - with very few reported cases worldwide. Product safety and responsible innovation are cornerstones of both brands, and you can continue to use them with confidence.