A guide for lash artists
Is TPO banned in Canada?
No. As of 4 October 2026, TPO is not on Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. The European Union has prohibited it in cosmetic products since 1 September 2025, and Great Britain since 15 August 2026. Adhesive Max, our UV lash glue, is TPO free.
The ingredient
What TPO is.
TPO is short for trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide. It is a photo-initiator: the ingredient that absorbs the curing light and starts the reaction in light-cured products. It is best known from gel nail systems, and some UV lash glues use it too. On a safety data sheet it appears under its CAS number, 75980-60-8.
The rules
Where the rules stand.
- European Union
- Prohibited since 1 September 2025Regulation (EU) 2025/877 moved TPO to the list of substances prohibited in cosmetic products, after its classification as toxic for reproduction, category 1B
- Great Britain
- Prohibited since 15 August 2026Statutory Instrument 2026/23. Products placed on the market before that date may be sold until the end of 14 February 2027
- Canada
- Not on the HotlistHealth Canada's list of prohibited and restricted cosmetic ingredients, as modified on 13 August 2025, has no entry for TPO
- Health Canada
- Reviewing the EU's informationIn September 2025 it told CTV News it had not identified a risk for TPO in nail products and was reviewing the EU's information to decide whether similar measures are needed
- Lash glue in Canada
- Professional use onlyThe Hotlist's own rule: cyanoacrylate adhesives for eyelash extensions must be sold for professional use only
Sources, read on 4 October 2026: Regulation (EU) 2025/877; UK Statutory Instrument 2026/23; Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist; CTV News, 8 September 2025.
Your own glue
How to check a UV glue for TPO.
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Read the ingredient list
Look for trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, or TPO for short.
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Check the safety data sheet
There it is listed by its CAS number, 75980-60-8.
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Look for the statement
Of 11 UV lash glues whose pages we read, 3 state that they are TPO free, 2 list TPO and 6 say nothing either way.
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Ask the maker
If the page says nothing, ask for the safety data sheet. Ours is available on request.
Adhesive Max
A UV lash glue with no TPO.
Adhesive Max cures under a UV LED lamp with a photo-initiator that is not TPO. It is also latex free and formaldehyde free, with very low fumes.
Free of
TPO
And latex and formaldehyde.
Sets in
0.5–1sec
Under the lamp, in any humidity.
Holds for
10–12weeks
With correct application and aftercare.
Questions
TPO, answered.
Is TPO banned in Canada?
No. As of 4 October 2026 TPO is not on Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, the list of ingredients prohibited or restricted in cosmetics. In September 2025 Health Canada told CTV News that it had not identified a risk for TPO in nail products and was reviewing the EU's information.
What is the TPO ban?
The European Union has prohibited TPO in cosmetic products since 1 September 2025, under Regulation (EU) 2025/877. Great Britain followed on 15 August 2026, with earlier stock allowed on sale until the end of 14 February 2027.
Does the ban cover lash glue?
The EU regulation speaks of artificial nail systems, where TPO had been allowed for professional use at up to 5%. We have found no official text that names lash adhesives. Adhesive Max is TPO free, so the question does not arise for it.
Is there a TPO free UV lash glue?
Adhesive Max. It sets in 0.5 to 1 second under a UV LED lamp that puts out 395 to 420 nm, holds for 10 to 12 weeks, and is free of TPO, latex and formaldehyde. See Adhesive Max
What does TPO free mean?
TPO is a photo-initiator: the ingredient that starts the cure when the light comes on. The European Union has banned it from cosmetic products since 1 September 2025. Adhesive Max does not use it. Of the 11 UV lash glues whose pages we read, 3 state that they are TPO free, 2 list TPO as an ingredient and 6 say nothing either way.
How do I know if my glue contains TPO?
Read the ingredient list for trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, or the safety data sheet for CAS 75980-60-8. If neither is published, ask the maker.
Read next
More guides.
Adhesive Max
The glue professionals reorder.
UV lash glue, 5 mL. For trained lash artists.