Q: How do I know if my products are TPO-Free?

A: You can verify this in a few ways:

1. Batch Number: The easiest and most straightforward method to verify if a product contains TPO – Check the batch number printed on the bottom of the bottle or jar. The middle number identifies the formula — compare it to the TPO-Free reference guide on this webpage to confirm.
2. Ingredients List: You can review the ingredients list to confirm a product does not contain Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO). We’ve replaced TPO with 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 when verifying.
3. EU Marker: We’ve recently began adding 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 when verifying.

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.