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PS is a significant regulatory and health protection activity required for all commercial entities, which create, market, transport, import, or dispose of hazardous materials. The number and complexity of PS‐related regulations continues to grow globally with the implementation of REACH, GHS, expanded EPA inventory reporting requirements, and a growing list of countries related regulations.

Perhaps more significantly, social expectations for freedom of information and a sharp reduction of “trade‐secret” information protection means that business sustainability will depend increasingly on transparent PS programs. The overall number of occupational health professionals who will need to practice PS is consequently likely to grow.

IH professionals practice health protection and regulatory compliance in a framework which is different, yet closely related to PS. This chapter has attempted to illustrate that many of the technical and experiential competencies required for PS are commonly possessed by IHs. Assuming that is true in at least a reasonable percentage of cases, it means that many IHs could have opportunities by expanding their awareness PS. These opportunities are of (at least) two varieties

1 Many, if not all, IHs would sharpen their health protection skills by studying the activities of PS. Within the practice of PS there are sophisticated models for RA/RM and for multitargeted hazard communication. The product‐based life cycle approach to health protection can help the IH do better in a facility‐based model. Additionally, depending on the job environment, the IH may be able to directly integrate with the PS function of an organization if he/she is aware of the needs. Examples throughout this chapter speak to the advantage of IHs being learned in PS and vice versa.

2 Many IHs would have the option to evolve their practice partly or wholly into that of PS, if they wished to. The competencies to perform PS activities are generally already present and the learning curve is rapid. There are examples cited in this chapter where this has happened, and continues to happen successfully.