About BASTAonline
Guidance to sustainable construction materials
The BASTA system is aimed at anyone who wants to make informed product choices with the aim of phasing out substances with dangerous properties. This can be property owners, contractors, architects, building designers, private individuals and more.
By phasing out substances with hazardous properties from building and construction products, the BASTA system contributes to achieving:
- Sweden's national environmental goal "Toxic-free environment"
UN global goal "Sustainable consumption and production" - The Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate's work with the "PRIO tool"
- BASTA is supported by the major players in the civil engineering sector and by authorities such as the Chemicals Inspectorate and the Swedish Transport Administration.
BASTA is a non-profit company and is owned by IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet & Byggföretagen.
Our vision
Construction products are free of hazardous substances, they are based on renewable resources and can be circulated.
Our mission
BASTA supports the construction industry's sustainability work by defining requirements, spreading knowledge and making information and tools available to facilitate conscious product choices.
How do we achieve this?
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We support product selection based on several sustainability aspects – such as chemical content, climate efficiency, circularity and renewability.
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We have an open system that gives everyone who wants to make sustainable product choices access to quality-assured assessments of products.
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The criteria in the system are transparent and scientifically based and harmonized with the European chemical legislation and the Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate's PRIO tool.
Digital tools
BASTA provides digital tools to facilitate and encourage sustainable product choices.
In our database you will find building and construction products that meet one of the BASTA system's grades. BASTA's database is open for anyone to search, either directly via our website or via our API.
The digital tools also include support for article registration and a logbook service for documentation and follow-up of product selection in the building and construction process.
Organisation
Alongside the operational team are the following support functions.
News
Content in building materials needs more focus
Alexandra Rosenqvist works as Sustainability Manager at Beijer Byggmaterial, Sweden's largest builders' merchant chain offering building materials and delivery for both private and corporate customers. This means that countless properties and houses in Sweden are built with materials from Beijer, which ensures that the content is not harmful to health - including through the BASTA system.
Update in upcoming criteria document - PFAS
In criteria version V34.1, which was released on February 1 and will become effective on August 1, changes have been made to PFAS. Read about what applies below.
A unique tool
BASTA has a board of directors with a wealth of experience and knowledge, whom we have interviewed. First up is Kavin Clevberger of Caverion.
The audit process in BASTA
The sun is out, the trees are blooming and summer is approaching - and so is the audit process. Every year, BASTA conducts an audit with up to 60-70 affiliated companies. Let's go through how it works.