THFMA in nail products: what changes from 1 February 2027?
THFMA is the next ingredient that nail retailers and salons should check for when planning their stock. 1 February 2027 is the key date. Under the current EU cosmetics framework, the practical consequence of the coming prohibition is straightforward: no sale or commercial supply of affected cosmetic products, and no use of them on clients in commercial nail services. The separate cosmetics amendment and possible changes to transition rules still need to be distinguished from the classification already adopted. [1] [2] [4]
What is THFMA?
THFMA stands for Tetrahydrofurfuryl Methacrylate (CAS 2455-24-5, EC 219-529-5). Look for the full name on the ingredient list rather than the abbreviation. Regulation (EU) 2025/1222 assigns it a harmonised classification as toxic to reproduction, category 1B, and a skin sensitiser, category 1A. These classifications concern hazardous properties; they do not quantify the risk from any particular bottle or manicure. [1]
What had been decided by 2 October 2026?
It would be incorrect to say that nothing had been decided. The CLP classification was adopted in 2025, with application from 1 February 2027. However, the Commission still lists the corresponding cosmetics measure, Omnibus IX, as under preparation. Our check on 3 October found no newly published final Omnibus IX act superseding that status. [1] [2] [3]
There is also a separate process: the chemicals simplification package, Omnibus VI. A provisional political agreement was announced in June 2026, including changes to transition periods for CMR substances in cosmetics. Parliamentary committees approved the agreed text in July. The procedure record consulted for this article still showed formal legislative steps outstanding. A provisional agreement is not an applicable amendment, and it should not be treated as permission to continue selling or using affected stock. [7] [8]
These two “Omnibus” processes serve different purposes. The current planning date remains 1 February 2027, but the final published rules and their application dates must be checked before making definitive claims about any extra transition period.
Timeline: from 2025 to February 2027
| Date | Development | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 2 April 2025 | Regulation (EU) 2025/1222 is adopted. [1] | The THFMA classification decision is made. |
| 20 June 2025 | The regulation is published in the Official Journal. [1] | The text confirms application from 1 February 2027. |
| 8 July 2025 | The separate chemicals simplification proposal is published. [8] | Changes to cosmetics procedures enter the legislative process. |
| 10 July 2025 | The regulation enters into force, 20 days after publication. [1] | Entry into force and mandatory application are different dates. |
| June–July 2026 | A provisional simplification agreement is announced; committees approve the agreed text on 14 July. [7] [8] | Proposed transition changes still require formal completion. |
| 8 July–6 September 2026 | The draft cosmetics amendment is notified to the WTO on 8 July; its comment deadline is 6 September. [3] | Notification and the end of consultation do not themselves constitute final adoption. |
| 2 October 2026; rechecked 3 October | Omnibus IX remains listed as under preparation; the simplification procedure still has legislative steps outstanding. [2] [8] | The classification is decided; the final cosmetics and transition texts still need monitoring. |
| 1 February 2027 | The adopted THFMA classification starts applying. [1] | Under the current Article 15 framework, plan to stop sale, commercial supply and client use of affected cosmetics unless an applicable legal change or derogation establishes otherwise. [4] [5] |
For retailers and salons: no sale, no commercial use
Under the current framework, a CMR category 1B classification triggers the cosmetics prohibition unless the strict conditions for an exception are met. The Commission’s TPO guidance explains how this framework applies to nail businesses. It is a useful precedent, although it is not a THFMA-specific final ruling. [4] [5]
- No sale: affected cosmetics cannot continue to be sold online, in shops or wholesale.
- No commercial supply: giving products away as part of business activity is also covered.
- No commercial use on clients: salons and nail technicians cannot apply affected products as part of their services.
- Earlier purchase does not create a use-up right: do not assume existing stock can be sold or finished on clients after the cut-off.
These are the consequences businesses should plan for under the current rules. Any different transition arrangement must be supported by the final applicable legislation, rather than a supplier’s assurance or a provisional proposal. [5] [7]
What about private use at home?
A person using a previously purchased product on their own nails at home is in a different position from a salon supplying a service. Purely personal use of existing products falls outside these commercial market-supply rules. The Commission’s consumer clarification for TPO illustrates this distinction; applying it here is an interpretation of the same framework, not a THFMA-specific approval. [4] [6]
This means the commercial prohibition does not itself require a consumer to stop that purely private use. It does not mean the product is approved, that its use is permitted under every other applicable rule, or that it is safe. It is not a recommendation to continue using THFMA. Nor does personal-use intent allow a retailer to keep selling a prohibited cosmetic product. [4] [6]
Image: Two-dimensional structure of Tetrahydrofurfuryl Methacrylate (THFMA), CAS 2455-24-5. Source: PubChem, CID 17151 [9]. Chemical identity cross-checked against NIST Chemistry WebBook.
Official sources
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1222 — THFMA classification and application date
- European Commission — CMR substances and Omnibus IX status
- European Commission — WTO notification G/TBT/N/EU/1219 (draft cosmetics amendment)
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products — Articles 2 and 15
- European Commission — TPO in Nail Products: Questions & Answers (commercial use; explanatory precedent)
- Commission Q&A hosted by Greece’s National Organization for Medicines — consumer/private-use clarification for TPO
- Council of the EU — provisional chemicals simplification agreement, 17 June 2026
- European Parliament — legislative procedure 2025/0531(COD)
- PubChem — THFMA, CID 17151: verified 2D structure; NIST Chemistry WebBook — CAS 2455-24-5, matching InChI and InChIKey
