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.

LINK INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

• Prohibited List
• International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI)
• International Standard for Laboratories (ISL)
• International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)
• International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information (ISPPPI)
• International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS)
• International Standard for Education (ISE)
• International Standard for Result Management (ISRM)

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.

GUIDELINES FOR PRIVACY

The main purpose of this document is to support the ADOs in the implementation of the privacy programs. 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 new Guidelines for Privacy can be found on WADA’s website and on ADEL, as part of the Code Implementation Support Program (CISP), which 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.

WADA 2021 International Standard for TUEs Guidelines
The main aim of the new 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 2021 International Standard for Result Management Guidelines
The purpose of the Guidelines for Result Management is to support ADOs in the comprehension of the International Standard for Result Management which came into force on 1 January 2021.

WADA laboratory technical letters and documents for 2021
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 2021 International Standard for Laboratories Guidelines
In order to be aligned with the latest scientific and technological progresses in the anti-doping field, WADA has released the 2021 International Standard for Laboratories Guidelines.

They 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:

• Gene doping detection based on Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR);
• Human Growth Hormone(hGH) biomarkers test, version 3.0;
• Conduction and reporting subcontracted analysis and furher analysis for doping control, version 3.0;
• Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) enquiries, version 4.0

WADA 2021 International Standard for Testing and Investigations Guidelines
The Guidelines for Sample Collection Personnel and the 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.

WBSC ANTI-DOPING PROCEDURES

WBSC cooperates with WADA and with ITA (International Testing Agency) and issues its anti-doping Procedures that you can find at this link.

ATHLETE'S ANTI-DOPING RIGHTS ACT

Athlete’s Anti-Doping Rights Act is a manual where all the rights and responsibilities 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 programs;
• 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 ADR violation;
• to see the identification of the DCO, to ask for additional info about sample collection process, to be informed of the authority under which the sample collection is to be conducted, the type of sample collection, to hydrate, to be accompanied by a representative, to delay to DCS for valid reasons, to be informed of their rights and responsibilities, to receive a copy of the records of sample collection 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, 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.

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.