Occupational and Environmental Health: Recognizing and Preventing Disease and Injury - Multiple Choice Questions - Learn & Prevent

What challenge is faced by facilities under REACH when seeking authorization for chemicals of 'very high concern'?

1. They must prove that the socioeconomic benefits of the chemical's use exceed its risks

2. All chemicals must pass a standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

3. Facilities must agree to phase out the use of the chemical within 5 years

4. They must replace all hazardous chemicals with non-hazardous alternatives within a year

The correct answer is: They must prove that the socioeconomic benefits of the chemical's use exceed its risks

REACH is a regulation in the European Union that governs the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemical substances. Within REACH, chemicals that are deemed to be of 'very high concern' due to their hazardous properties are subject to strict authorization requirements. One of these challenges is that facilities must prove that the socioeconomic benefits of the chemical's use exceed its risks in order to obtain authorization. This means they must demonstrate that the use of the chemical provides more benefits to society than the potential harm it may cause. Therefore, options B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not address the specific challenge of proving the benefits outweigh the risks. Option B mentions a standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is unrelated to REACH and applies only in the U.S. Option C mentions phasing out the use of the chemical, which is a separate requirement for chemicals of