What are the EU regulations for gel polish ingredients?

Gel polish is widely available in numerous salons and shops. Its popularity stems from the vibrant colours it offers and its long-lasting nature. The EU regulations are in place to protect you from harmful substances. Certain ingredients, such as CHLUMINIT® TPO, are deemed risky and are therefore prohibited. Fortunately, there are safer alternatives, like CHLUMICRYL® HEMA, found in many products. By being informed about which ingredients are safe, you can make healthier choices for yourself.

Key Takeaways

The EU does not allow harmful things like TPO in gel polish. This helps keep you safe and healthy. You should always look at the ingredient list before you buy gel polish. This helps you stay away from dangerous chemicals. There are safer choices instead of banned substances. These let you use gel polish without worrying about your health. Companies must change their products to follow EU rules. This means you can find safer gel polish in shops. Try to learn about new rules so you can pick better options for your nails.

Why Are Gel Polish Ingredients Regulated?

Health and Safety Concerns

There are many rules for gel polish ingredients. These rules help keep people safe. Some things in gel polish can hurt your health. For example, trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) is banned. TPO can make it harder to have children. TPO is often used in nail products. Studies show it can cause problems with fertility. The European Union also bans other dangerous chemicals. One is DMPT, which can cause cancer and harm babies.

Here are some ways these chemicals can be risky:

Methacrylates in gel polish can cause allergies. Allergies might give you itchy skin, loose nails, or trouble breathing.
Allergies happen more if the polish is not used right.
If you get an allergy, you might not get some medical treatments later.

The EU makes these rules to keep you safe. They ban or limit bad chemicals in gel polish.

Scientific Assessment Process

The EU does not ban ingredients for no reason. They use a careful science process. Experts check every cosmetic product for safety. They see how people use the product. They look for health risks.

The process has these steps:

Scientists check if the product and its ingredients are safe.
Companies must tell the EU what is in the product. They also share labels and safety reports.
Authorities look at this information. If they worry, they can ask for more facts or do tests.

The EU wants companies to avoid animal testing. They want companies to use new science to show products are safe.

This process helps you trust gel polish in the EU. The rules are there to keep you healthy and safe.

EU Regulations on Gel Polish Ingredients

Key Banned Substances (e.g., TPO)

It is important to know the rules for gel polish in the European Union. These rules help keep you safe from bad chemicals. The main law is called Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. This law covers all cosmetics, including gel polish. The EU changes these rules often to protect people’s health.

Here is a table with the most important EU rules for gel polish ingredients:

Regulation	Description
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009	Controls cosmetic products, including gel polish ingredients.
Commission Regulation (EU) No 866/2014	Changes Annexes III, V, and VI to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1003/2014	Changes Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1224	Replaces Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1847	Changes Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/698	Changes Annexes III and V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

A new rule, Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/877, will soon change things. This rule bans 21 substances that can cause cancer, change genes, or harm babies. You will see these changes in nail products and other cosmetics. All products with banned ingredients must be changed or removed by 1 September 2025.

One important banned substance is trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO). TPO is used in many gel polishes as a photoinitiator. The EU says TPO is a Category 1B reproductive toxicant. This means TPO can hurt fertility and unborn babies. Here is a table with details about TPO and other banned substances:

Ingredient Name	CAS Number	Reason for Ban
Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO)	75980-60-8	Listed as CMR Category 1B reproductive toxicant

The ban on TPO starts on 1 September 2025. After this date, you will not find gel polish with TPO in EU shops or salons. Makers must stop making and selling products with TPO. There is no extra time for old stock.

Reasons for Ingredient Bans

You may wonder why the EU bans some ingredients in gel polish. The main reason is to keep people healthy. Some chemicals can cause big problems, like cancer or harm to babies. The EU rules focus on substances called CMRs. These are chemicals that can cause cancer, change genes, or harm reproduction.

Here are the main reasons for banning ingredients like TPO:

Reproductive toxicity is a big risk. TPO can make it harder for people to have children.
Some people are more at risk, like pregnant women and children.
Nail technicians work with these chemicals a lot, which increases health risks.
Safer options exist. You can pick gel polish with ingredients approved by the EU.
The law says CMR 1B substances must be removed from cosmetics.

You can still buy and use gel polish in the EU. Brands change their products to follow the rules. Many gel polishes now use safe photoinitiators, such as hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone or TPO-L, which do not have the same risks as TPO.

Here is a table with examples of safe gel polish formulas:

Formula	Key Photoinitiator	TPO Content	Key Benefits
GelEase Full Size 15ml Gel Polish	Hydroxycyclohexyl Phenyl Ketone	No TPO	Reliable curing, high shine, consistent wear
GelEase HEMA-Free 8ml Gel Polish	Ethyl Trimethylbenzoyl Phenylphosphinate (TPO-L)	No TPO	New, safer option approved in the EU
GelEase 15ml Builder Gel	Hydroxycyclohexyl Phenyl Ketone	No TPO	Strong, self-levelling, professional-grade durability

You can trust that EU rules keep bad substances out of your gel polish. These rules help you make safer choices and protect your health.

Impact on Manufacturers and Consumers

Product Reformulation and Labelling

You may notice your favourite gel polish looks different now. Companies must change their products to take out banned substances like TPO. This makes sure every bottle you buy is safe to use. Brands now use safer photoinitiators like TPO-L, TMO (TPO-R), BAPO, and hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone. These ingredients help gel polish harden under UV light but do not have the same dangers as TPO.

Compliant Alternative	CAS Number	Description
TPO-L	84434-11-7	Ethyl Trimethylbenzoyl Phenylphosphinate
TMO (TPO-R)	270586-78-2	Trimethylbenzoyl Ditolylphosphine Oxide
BAPO	162881-26-7	Bis-Trimethylbenzoyl Phenylphosphine Oxide
Hydroxycyclohexyl Phenyl Ketone	947-19-3	A compliant alternative for curing performance

You will also see clearer ingredient labels on bottles. All cosmetics must list what is inside in a language you can read. Ingredients are listed from the most to the least. This helps you spot anything that could be bad for you. Knowing what is in your polish helps you pick safer products.

Tip: Always look at the label for banned ingredients like TPO or formaldehyde resin before you buy.

Safe Alternatives and Consumer Choices

There are now more safe choices for gel polish. Many brands sell gel polish without TPO. For example, Manucurist’s Green Flash line uses plant-based ingredients. Aprés and OPI also have TPO-free formulas that work well. The GelBottle has changed its products to follow the new rules.

BIAB (Builder in a Bottle) makes nails stronger and comes in TPO-free types.
Dip powder systems last a long time and do not need UV light.

You can find safe products by reading the label. Check that there is no TPO, HEMA, or DBP in the list. Brands like CHROMÉCLAIR make sure their formulas are safe and follow the rules. This keeps you healthy and lets you feel safe when using gel polish.

When you pick gel polish that follows EU rules, you stay away from risky chemicals and support brands that care about your safety.

You are kept safe by strong rules for gel polish. The EU banned TPO because it can hurt your ability to have children. Salons now use safer formulas. This means you can have nice nails and not worry. To pick safe gel polish, do these things:

Check the ingredient list before you buy.
Find products that say they use safe alternatives.
Learn about new rules when they come out.

You help your health when you read labels and know about new rules.

FAQ

Why does the EU ban some gel polish ingredients?

You see bans because some ingredients can harm your health. The EU wants to protect you from risks like allergies, cancer, or fertility problems. These rules help you use gel polish safely.

Why should you check the ingredient list before buying gel polish?

You avoid harmful substances when you read the label. Some products may still contain banned chemicals. Checking the list helps you choose safe and legal gel polish.

Why do manufacturers change their gel polish formulas?

Manufacturers must follow EU laws. They remove banned ingredients to keep you safe. You get products that meet strict safety standards.

Why are safer alternatives important for gel polish?

Safer alternatives let you enjoy gel polish without health risks. You find products that cure well and last long. These options protect your nails and your wellbeing.