(11)The transition to a circular economy is an enabler of environmental sustainability that generates significant benefits for the sustainable management of water, the protection and conservation of biodiversity, the prevention and control of pollution and the mitigation of climate change. The circular economy reflects the need for economic activities to promote efficient use of resources through appropriate re-use and recycling of resources. The technical screening criteria for determining under which conditions an economic activity qualifies as contributing substantially to the transition to a circular economy should therefore ensure that in the design and production phase, the operator takes into account the long-term value retention and waste reduction of the product over its lifecycle. During its use phase, the product should be subject to maintenance to extend its life, while reducing the amount of waste. The product should be dismantled or treated after its use to ensure that it can be re-used or recycled for the manufacturing of another product. That approach can limit the dependency of the Union’s economy on materials imported from third countries, which is particularly important in respect of critical raw materials. It is therefore appropriate to focus first on those economic activities and sectors that have the greatest potential to achieve those aims.