The BASTA system focuses on hazardous substances in construction and building products. Products are assessed according their chemical ingredients.

Suppliers are responsible for the assessment, and are required to: Declare contents - The supplier must have detailed knowledge of the product´s chemical composition; Provide supporting documentation - The supplier must be able to provide documentation to support the assessment that the product meets the properties criteria; Demonstrate Competence - those who undertake the product assessment must demonstrate necessary competence in environmental and health assessments; and

BASTA undertakes regular controls to ensure that participating suppliers follow the BASTA terms of qualification.

Following an assessment, products are designated in either the BASTA or BETA register. The BASTA register has more comprehensive requirements; and the BETA register has those products meeting more basic requirements.

BASTA is run as a non-profit owned jointly by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and The Swedish Construction Federation. BASTA is developed for use in the Swedish market, and the database is only available in Swedish.