TPO INFORMATION
We’ve compiled the information on this webpage specifically for clients in the European Union, providing a resource to help you stay informed on the TPO ban which came into effect on September 1, 2025.
TPO RESTRICTION
The European Union has banned the use of TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) – a UV/LED photoinitiator – in Europe. This ban includes cosmetic products, like nail gels. The ban is effective September 1st, 2025. While not considered dangerous or related to product safety or allergies, the EU is implementing this ban as a precautionary measure.
OUR PROACTIVE RESPONSE
At Akzéntz®, we have reformulated our products in preparation. As reformulations were completed, these reformulated products began shipping to our distribution partners in Europe, starting in March 2025, months ahead of the ban. Currently, only products that are TPO-Free are being shipped to the EU.
We’ve extensively tested the TPO-Free formulas and can confidently say there is no noticeable difference in wear, curing performance, shade/colour, gloss, or the overall durability.
MARKETS OUTSIDE THE EU
Markets outside the EU are not affected by the restriction on TPO. However, due to strong demand, we will now be making our TPO-Free formulations available worldwide.
SECONDARY INGREDIENTS LABELS
To ensure the fastest possible roll-out of TPO-Free formulas, an updated ingredients label is applied during production — this label covers the original ingredients list containing TPO, and correctly identifies the new, TPO-Free formula. For Pro-Formance™ Hard Gels, the ingredients are always listed on the bottom of the jar using a similar label.
Producing entirely new packaging would result in significant delays and unnecessary environmental waste. Applying a secondary ingredients label ensures that clients receive products with updated formulas as efficiently as possible.
The secondary ingredients label reflects the official, registered ingredients and should not be removed.
TPO FAQ
Q: How do I know if my products are TPO-Free?
A: You can verify this in a few ways:
- You can review the ingredients list to confirm a product does not contain Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO).
- We’ve recently added a bold ‘EU’ next to the product name on the bottom label to help identify TPO-Free formulas at a glance. However, not all TPO-Free products currently on the market will have this marker, as it was implemented partway through production.
Q: What replaces TPO?
A: We’ve replaced Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO) with EU compliant alternatives that have similar names: Ethyl Trimethylbenzoyl Phenylphosphinate and Trimethylbenzoyl Ditolylphosphine Oxide.
These can easily be mistaken for TPO, so it’s important to read the ingredients list carefully.
Q: When will TPO-Free products be available in Europe?
A: We began shipping TPO-Free products to the EU market as we finalized reformulations beginning in early 2025. Currently, only TPO-Free products are being shipped to clients and distributors located in the EU.
Clients located in the EU and ordering on the official Akzéntz website (shop.akzentz.com), will automatically receive EU specific, TPO-Free formulas.
Q: Will any products be discontinued for the European Market?
A: Options™ Colour gels (not including Options Builder gels) will not be reformulated to be TPO-Free. This means they will be discontinued for the EU market. Some Gel Play products (excluding Gel Play Pearlescent Powder, and New Gel-Play Gel Polish) will also be discontinued for the EU Market.
Q: If I am located in the EU, what should I do with products that contain TPO?
A: To comply with the EU restriction, you must stop using any products containing TPO by September 1, 2025.
As a reminder, most gels have a POA (Period After Opening) of 18 months. If a product has been open beyond this period, it should be disposed of — whether or not it contains TPO.
Q: Is there any difference in quality with TPO-Free products?
A: Our internal lab team is committed to our products maintaining global compliance, and we’ve taken every step to ensure there’s no compromise in the quality and performance our products are known for. We’ve extensively tested the updated formulas and can confidently say there is no noticeable difference in wear, cure, shades, gloss, or durability with the TPO-Free formulas.
Q: Is TPO dangerous?
A: TPO has been safely used in many products, including nail gels for decades without issue. TPO is being restricted for use only in the EU as a precautionary measure. The TPO restriction is NOT related to any issues regarding allergies or adverse reactions.
Q: If I am outside the EU, does the TPO ban affect me?
A: No. You can continue using and purchasing products as normal. TPO is a safe, highly researched and reliable ingredient that has been used in the formulation of cured nail products for many decades but to streamline our internal operations, we will phase into TPO-Free formulations for all world-wide markets in the foreseeable future.