Gel Polish Containing TPO Banned in European Union Amid Health Concerns
Brussels,Belgium - A ban on cosmetic products containing the chemical TPO (diphenyl(2-hydroxyethyl)phosphine oxide) went into effect across the European Union on September 1,2024,impacting gel polishes used in professional and at-home manicures. The move stems from concerns over potential carcinogenic and reproductive health risks, even though initial studies were conducted on animal subjects.
The EU reclassified TPO as a Category 1B CMR substance - meaning it is indeed suspected of causing cancer or reproductive harm – automatically triggering the prohibition of its use in cosmetics.This ban extends to the marketing and request of TPO-containing products, requiring EU salons to immediately cease using existing stock, regardless of purchase date, as outlined in a recent EU release.Even previously purchased, unopened bottles are no longer legally permissible for use.
The decision reflects the EU’s “better safe than sorry” approach to cosmetic safety. while studies linking TPO directly to adverse health effects in humans are limited, regulators opted for preventative action. Industry reports indicate brands are already shifting to choice ingredients such as TPO-L, BAPO, and methyl benzoylformate to comply with the new regulations.
What does this mean for consumers? The ban currently only applies within the European Union and does not affect the availability or use of TPO-containing gel polishes in the united States.
The ban arrives alongside ongoing scrutiny of the UV/LED lamps used to cure gel manicures.These lamps emit ultraviolet rays, which the Cleveland Clinic has linked to skin cancer and premature aging due to collagen damage.However, current research suggests a weak or inconclusive connection between routine nail salon lamp use and cancer development.
Source: facts for this article was taken from FOX News, reporting by Newsweek and an August 7 news release shared by the European Union. This story was reported from San Jose.
