Overview

• Effective September 1, 2025, EU rules prohibit placing or making available cosmetic products containing TPO, and salons must withdraw and dispose of existing stock.
• The restriction covers both professional use and retail sales, with guidance directing businesses to switch immediately to compliant alternatives.
• The United States has no federal restriction and the UK plans a later ban expected in 2026, while brands signal reformulations that may standardize TPO-free lines globally.
• Reported substitutes include TPO-L, BAPO and methyl benzoylformate, and some salons say they have already adopted TPO-free gels.
• Industry figures challenge the ban as lacking human evidence and imposing costs, as health experts emphasize animal findings on reproductive toxicity and potential occupational exposure risks.