TPO is banned: here's all you need to know
TPO ban: here’s all you need to know
From September 1, 2025, the use of TPO in all cosmetics will be officially banned across the EU. 1
What is TPO - and why the ban
TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) is a photoinitiator used in many gel and gel polish formulas. It plays a role in helping products cure under UV/LED light and is used in artificial nail products up to 5%.
However, in January 2024, the EU Commission reclassified TPO as Repr. 1B – toxic for reproduction. As a result, it will be added to the list of banned substances under the Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
Kinetics formulas are 100% TPO-free
We’ve proactively reformulated all Kinetics products to be TPO-free ahead of the ban. In our products, TPO has been replaced with TPO-R – a safer, equally effective alternative.
- We stopped distributing TPO-containing products as of March 2025.
- No Kinetics products with TPO will be available for sale after the EU ban takes effect.
- Ingredient lists are always transparent and fully compliant.
Kinetics products that previously contained TPO
Only three Kinetics products contained TPO prior to March 1, 2025. Please check your stock to ensure you no longer have these:
How to recognize TPO in your nail products?
By EU law, cosmetic ingredients must be listed by their INCI name.
For TPO, the official INCI is: Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide.
However, older or non-compliant products may use variations such as:
• Diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide;
• (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) diphenylphosphine oxide;
• 2,4,6-Trimethyl benzoyldiphenyl phosphine oxide.
If you see any of the names above, your product contains TPO and from 01/09/2025 will no longer be allowed for sale in the EU.
Legal alternatives you can use
Some ingredients may resemble TPO on labels, but they’re approved for use in the EU.
Tip: Always read the full INCI name. Don’t rely on abbreviations like TPO-L or TPO-R alone.
These are the ones you can trust:
TPO-L
• INCI: Ethyl Trimethylbenzoyl Phenylphosphinate or any of these names;
• CAS: 84434-11-7.
TMO or TPO-R
• INCI: Trimethylbenzoyl Ditolylphosphine Oxide. Since we replaced the product before TPO-R was assigned an INCI name, you will find this substance on Kinetics product labels with the IUPAC name:
Di-p-tolyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) Phosphine Oxide.
• CAS: 270586-78-2;
• A new-generation, EU-compliant photoinitiator that can undergo rapid UV/ LED curing in various high-speed applications.
BAPO
• INCI: Bis-Trimethylbenzoyl Phenylphosphine Oxide;
• CAS: 162881-26-7;
• Suitable for LED lamps operating at 365 nm and 405 nm.
Hydroxycyclohexyl Phenyl Ketone
• INCI: Hydroxycyclohexyl Phenyl Ketone or any of these names;
• CAS: 947-19-3;
• A long-used UV/LED photoinitiator in both cosmetics and dental products. Note that your lamp should preferably be 365nm (and 405nm).
Can you use up TPO-containing products in the salon?
From September 1, 2025, the use of TPO in cosmetics is banned across the EU.
According to the latest European Commission guidance, from 1 September 2025, salons and professionals in the EU must no longer use any cosmetic products containing TPO and must ensure their proper disposal, regardless of when they were purchased.
Safety and health is our priority
At Kinetics, we have a dedicated in-house R&D team of 17 chemists, developing over 500 formulas every year. A large part of our innovation is dedicated to developing safer products with cleanest raw materials available!
We were the first to remove TMPTA and TPO from our formulas and the first to introduce HEMA-free gel polish.
Our promise: to keep creating the safest, cleanest, and most modern nail products in the world — for every nail lover out there!
If you have any further questions, please reach out to us on [email protected]!
We don’t just follow the rules— we lead the way!
☀️ Here you can read more about our efforts in removing HEMA from our products!