TPO FAQS

Understanding New Regulations

The cosmetics industry frequently undergoes regulatory updates to protect consumer safety and well-being. A regulatory change is a proactive update to industry standards for future compliance — this is not a product recall, and the product is safe. These updates are determined by regulatory bodies, such as ECHA, and occur either annually or as needed, based on emerging scientific research and reviews. These regulations apply industry-wide to all cosmetic products. As part of these ongoing changes, a new regulation has been published that prohibits the use of the ingredient Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO) in cosmetic products rom 1st September 2025. This is an EU directive, and it is expected that the UK will adopt similar regulations in the coming years. This regulation affects all companies using TPO, not just those in the nail product segment, and does not take immediate effect; to give companies time to comply with the new standards. 

What is TPO?

TPO is a photoinitiator commonly used in gel polish formulations to initiate the polymerisation process when exposed to UV or LED light, which allows the gel polish to harden and cure. It is a widely used ingredient due to its effectiveness in ensuring fast and durable curing.

A comprehensive list of benefits to using TPO are listed below, as cited by:

Reference: Scientific literature on photoinitiators, such as research articles in Journal of Polymer Science or Progress in Organic Coatings.

Reference: Industry reviews and technical papers discussing photoinitiator performance, such as articles in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research.

Reference: Technical reports on photoinitiator efficiency, often found in industry white papers or European Coatings Journal.

TPO/ TPO-L

1. Broad Absorption Spectrum: TPO-L/ TPO has a broad absorption spectrum in the ultraviolet (UV) range, particularly around 350-400 nm. This allows it to be activated by a wide variety of UV light sources.
2. High Reactivity: TPO-L is highly reactive, meaning it can efficiently initiate polymerisation when exposed to UV light. This leads to faster curing times and more complete polymerisation, which enhances the durability and longevity of the cured product.
3. Reduced Yellowing: Compared to other photoinitiators, TPO-L tends to result in less yellowing of cured products, maintaining the clarity and aesthetic quality of the final finish.
4. Compatibility with Various Monomers: TPO-L is compatible with a wide range of monomers and oligomers used in UV-curable formulations. 
5. Effectiveness in Thick Layers: TPO-L/ TPO is effective in curing thicker layers of material, as it can penetrate deeper due to its absorption characteristics. This makes it suitable for applications requiring robust, thick coatings.
6. Minimised Oxygen Inhibition: TPO-L/ TPO is less affected by oxygen inhibition compared to other photoinitiators, ensuring a complete and even cure even when exposed to air. 

Is TPO in TGB Products?

88% of current TGB products are already TPO free. These include all gel colours, Rubber Basecoat and Rubber Top 2.0 as well as our entire HEMA Free range (Bond Base, Glow Top, gel colours and BIABTM).

At the moment, the following TGB products contain TPO:

BIAB Original

BIAB Shimmer

BIAB White, Clear

Studio Gel

3D Studio Gel

3D Studio Gel Colour

Extreme Shine Top Coat

Shimmer Top

2-in-1 Base

GelPot – Colours

Proform

Mermaid Gel Polish

What is TGB doing in response to the new regulation?

The GelBottle is committed to the safety and well-being of our customers, as well as the continual improvement and innovation of our formulas. We have been working for the past 6 months on new and improved formulas without TPO, which are already seeing extremely positive test results. Watch this space over the coming months for these new formulations.

Should I be worried?

You are not at risk and may carry on using your products as usual. We will keep you updated on further changes and when new formulations are available. We will alert you again when the regulation is in place, to ensure you are using new formulations.

Will I need to replace any of my products that contain TPO? 

A regulatory change is a proactive update to industry standards for future compliance- this is not a product recall and the product is not unsafe. You will not need to replace any products.