World Baseball Softball Confederation

Documents & Regulations

WADA, during its constant work of updating, released a new World Anti-Doping Code that came in force from 1 January 2021; it is the core document that provides the framework for harmonised anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport organizations and among public authorities.

It works in conjunction with 8 International Standards aimed at bringing harmonisation among anti-doping organisations in various areas.

International Standards

WADA also put in evidence and included in its website all the changes made compared to the old Code (2015). However, on the Anti-Doping eLearning platform (ADEL) you will find all the information related to the WADA Anti-Doping Code 2021.

International Standards Guidelines

WADA International Standard for the Protection of Privacy Personal Information Guidelines

The main purpose of the ISPPPI guidelines is to support the ADOs in the implementation of the privacy programmes. Additional objectives are to improve athlete’s trust by guaranteeing that personal information is protected and handled attentively at each step of the anti-doping test procedures.

The Code Implementation Support Programme (CISP) provides additional resources to support the implementation of the ISPPPI.

The guidelines are accompanied by a suite of operational templates in excel format to help ADOs implement key ISPPPI requirements, namely a Record of Processing, a Risk Assessment Matrix, a Security Breach Reporting Form, a Security Breach Log, and an ADO Disclosure Request Form.

You can find them on the ADEL Platform - CISP resources.

At the bottom of this page, you can find the “WBSC Anti-Doping Privacy Notice” and the “WBSC Athlete Consent Form”. The first one explains how WBSC manage the privacy aspect for all its stakeholders during its anti-doping activities. The second one needs to be filled out, signed and sent it back at antidoping@wbsc.org by the WBSC international level athletes at their earliest convenience once selected for a national team playing internationally.

WADA International Standard for TUEs Guidelines

The main aim of the ISTUE guidelines is to explain simply how to apply for a TUE. This is especially important when the athletes need to take some medications included in the Prohibited List due to an illness or a medical condition.

WADA International Standard for Result Management Guidelines

The purpose of the ISRM guidelines is to support ADOs in the comprehension of the International Standard for Result Management.

WADA Laboratory Technical Letters and Documents

The technical letters are official WADA documents which dispense useful information about the analysis, interpretation and reporting of results for particular prohibited substances/methods to the WADA-accredited laboratories.

Instead, the purpose of the technical documents is to raise awareness on specific technical or procedural issues to the WADA-accredited laboratories.

Both documents are updated periodically, in the light of the technological and scientific progresses in the anti-doping test procedures.

They are in line with the Code and the 2021 ISL and here you can find the Summary of Modifications compared to the previous technical letters and the Summary of Modifications regarding the technical documents.

WADA International Standard for Laboratories Guidelines

The ISL guidelines contain useful information in the implementation of the related International Standard and are addressed specifically to the WADA-accredited laboratories and WADA-approved laboratories for the athlete biological passport.

You can find them below:

WADA International Standard for Testing and Investigations Guidelines

The ISTI guidelines for sample collection personnel and the ISTI guidelines for sample collection assist the ADOs in the implementation of the International Standard for Testing and Investigation (ISTI).

They dispense information on how to manage optimally the sample collection process, from the training and accreditation of DCOs, BCOs and Chaperones, to the explanation of the process itself.

WBSC Anti-Doping Rules

WBSC, in compliance with such updates, approved the new WBSC Anti-Doping Rules that came in force also from 1 January 2021. You can also find here all the changes and some highlights only applied to the previous version.

The WBSC anti-doping rules are based on the World Anti-Doping Code and have been adapted to the baseball and softball.

Current rules

Document name
Anti-Doping Rules

Previous versions

Document name
Anti-Doping Rules 2015
Anti-Doping Rules 2015-2021 - Revision
Anti-Doping Rules 2015-2021 - Significant changes

Athlete's Anti-Doping Rights Act

The Athlete’s Anti-Doping Rights Act is a manual where all the rights of athletes regarding anti-doping are included.

In particular, athletes have the right:

to equal opportunities in their pursuit of sport, free of participation by others athletes who dope;
to equitable and fair testing programmes;
to use a TUE;
to justice, right to be heard, right to a fair hearing within independent hearing panel;
that any anti-doping organisations that has jurisdiction over them will be accountable for its action and an athlete shall have the ability to report any compliance issue;
to report ADR violations through an anonymous mechanism and not be subjected to threats or intimidation;
to receive anti-doping education;
to the fair handling of their personal information by ADO;
to pursue damages from another athlete whose actions have damaged that athlete by the commission of an ADRV;
during the sample collection process: to see the identification of the DCO, to request additional info on the procedure, on the authority under which it will be carried out and on the type of collection, to hydrate, to be accompanied by a representative and, if available, an interpreter; to delay to DCS for valid reasons (International Standard for Testing and Investigations art. 5.4.4) , to be informed of their rights and responsibilities, to receive a copy of the records of the process;
to ask for B sample when analysis of their A sample results in an adverse analytical finding. If sample B doesn’t confirm the A sample finding, the athlete has the right to participate in subsequent competitions during the event;
if "protected persons", to have further protections because of their age or lack of legal capacity;
that their existing rights shall not be held to be abrogated or restricted;
in the case of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation being asserted, the athlete has the right to a fair hearing and the right to appeal the hearing decision.

Act won’t change the Code.

Athletes should have the right to:

participate in training that are free from doping-related competition;
be consulted in the creation of anti-doping rules to which they must comply;
access legal and fair hearings and appeal process in doping cases.

Athletes & Athlete Support Personnel about Anti-Doping

"Every athlete has the right to clean sport!”
Any athlete may be tested in- and out-of-competition, anytime, anywhere and with no advance notice.

The principle of strict liability applies in anti-doping – if it is in the athlete’s body, the athlete is responsible for it.

Athletes’ responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

complying with the WBSC Anti-Doping Rules (in line with the World Anti-Doping Code);
being available for sample collection (urine or blood), whether in-competition or out- of-competition;
ensuring that no prohibited substance enters his body and that no prohibited method is used;
making sure that any treatment is not prohibited according to the Prohibited List in force and checking this with the prescribing physicians, or directly with the WBSC if necessary;
applying to the WBSC (or National Anti-Doping Organisation if the athlete is a national level athlete) if a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) is required and no alternative permitted treatment is possible;
reporting immediately for sample collection after being notified of a doping control;
ensuring the accuracy of the information entered on the doping control form during sample collection (including stating any medications and supplements taken within the seven days prior to sample collection, and, where the sample collected is a blood sample, blood transfusions within the previous three months);
cooperating with Anti-Doping Organisations investigating Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs);
not working with coaches, trainers, physicians or other athlete support personnel who are ineligible on account of an ADRV or who have been criminally convicted or professionally disciplined in relation to doping (see WADA’s prohibited association list).

Note: during doping control, the athlete must remain within direct observation of the Doping Control Officer (DCO) or chaperone at all times from when the initial contact is made until the completion of the sample collection procedure. The athlete must also produce identification upon request.

Coaches, trainers, managers, agents and other support personnel have a role in defending clean sport and supporting the athletes in the anti-doping processes.