This Directive lays down measures to protect the environment and human health by preventing or reducing the generation of waste, the adverse impacts of the generation and management of waste and by reducing overall impacts of resource use and improving the efficiency of such use, which are crucial for the transition to a circular economy and for guaranteeing the EU's long-term competitiveness.
The Directive also places obligations on Member States to promote and support sustainable production and consumption models, encourage the design, manufacturing and use of products that are resource-efficient, durable, reparable, re-usable and upgradable target products containing critical raw materials to prevent that those materials become waste and encourage the re-use of products and the setting up of systems promoting repair and re-use activities amongst other waste objectives.
