TPO Explained: Everything You Need to Know
TPO has been in the spotlight recently, so we wanted to take a moment to break down what it is, why it’s being regulated, and what it means and what it means for your salon. Here’s everything you need to know…
What is TPO?
TPO is a photoinitiator used in gel polish. It activates the hardening process, or polymerisation process, when gel polish is exposed to UV or LED light — essentially, it’s often the ingredient used to make your gels cure properly.
Why is TPO in the news?
As of September 1st, TPO has been banned across the EU (Excluding UK) in all cosmetic products. This isn’t because it’s been proven unsafe, but because it has been classified as a CMR 1B substance under CLP regulations. Substances in this category are prohibited by default.
HOW HAS THE GELBOTTLE PREPARED?
We’ve been preparing for this change since 2023. For the EU, our entire range has already been reformulated to remove TPO. As a company we are fully complaint with all new regulations in the EU. These updated formulas have been thoroughly tested and perform just as reliably as before.
For UK and US customers, although we do not have a confirmed deadline for the ban to come into effect in the UK, we will be rolling out these TPO-free formulas over the next year to ease the transition. Many of our products are already globally TPO-free, including our gel colours and a selection of BIABs™ (All In One, HEMA-Free, and newer collections). You can check our FAQ page for a full list of current TPO products. Over time, all products will be TPO-free globally.
WHAT REPLACES TPO?
Our new formulations use TPO-L, a photoinitiator that provides fast, reliable curing and is fully compliant with the new regulations.
It’s important not to confuse TPO with other photoinitiators containing PO (phosphine oxide). While they belong to the same family, they are different molecules with different safety profiles. TPO is banned, but TPO-L and BAPO are considered safe and not banned.
WILL TPO-FREE FORMULAS AFFECT PERFORMANCE?
No. Our extensive testing confirms that switching to TPO-L does not affect adhesion or curing, so your gel polish and BIAB™ will perform just as reliably as before.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR EXISTING PRODUCTS?
EU customers must switch to TPO-free products by September 1st. UK and US customers can continue using their current products for now — this isn’t a recall, just a proactive update to comply with regulations.
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
At The GelBottle, we’re committed to keeping our products safe, compliant, and high-performing. If you have any questions about TPO or our TPO-free range, check our FAQ, and our team is here to help! We’ll continue to make the transition as smooth as possible for nail professionals everywhere.