Gel & acrylic nails
TPO (gel nails)
Banned in European Union and United Kingdom; not specifically regulated in Nigeria.
Why it matters
TPO is classified in the EU as toxic to reproduction (category 1B), meaning it may harm fertility.
What to look for on the label
Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, TPO.
Full name: TPO (gel-nail photoinitiator)
Country by country
Around the worldBanned in European Union and United Kingdom; not specifically regulated in Nigeria.
Why: TPO is classified in the EU as toxic to reproduction (category 1B), meaning it may harm fertility.
| Place | Status |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | no specific ruleNot named in NAFDAC labelling, bleaching-agent or registration rules. |
| European Union | bannedAnnex II entry 1731 from 1 Sept 2025 (Omnibus VII, Reg 2025/877); no stock sell-through. |
| United Kingdom | bannedAnnex 2 from 15 Aug 2026 (SI 2026/23); existing stock sellable until 14 Feb 2027. |
| United States | no specific ruleNot on FDA's prohibited/restricted cosmetic ingredients list. |
| Canada | no specific ruleNot on Hotlist prohibited or restricted lists (2025-08-13 version). |
Sources: NAFDAC cosmetics registration guidelines · Reg (EU) 2025/877, EUR-Lex · UK SI 2026/23 · FDA Prohibited & Restricted Ingredients · Health Canada Hotlist via CosIng Checker (secondary). Checked 2026-10-19; rules change, so check the regulator before relying on it.
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Education, not legal advice. Rules change: check with your country's regulator before relying on this.