Commentary: The EU has banned a common gel nail polish ingredient. Should Singapore consumers be concerned?

The Ministry of Manpower, the National Environment Agency and HSA issued a joint circular in 2024 advising salons on ventilation, safe handling of products and protecting workers and customers from exposure to harmful chemicals. TPO was not singled out, but the advisory reflected awareness that nail services involve substances that deserve careful use.

Does Singapore need to do more? 

Gel manicures are hugely popular in Singapore: according to a news report last year, there were around 537 accredited nail and beauty salons as of March 2024, with many more working towards accreditation. During the pandemic, home-based nail services flourished, expanding access even further. 

Few of us would think to ask what brand of gel polish a salon uses, let alone check the ingredients label for technical names like TPO. It would be reasonable for people to assume that what is available at the salon has already been vetted. And with the rise of e-commerce, gel polish kits, including those with TPO, are readily available online, shipped in from anywhere. A product banned in Europe can still be sold legally in Singapore or other markets.