New Anti-Doping Code comes into force

The new World Anti-Doping Code has entered into force, effective 1 January 2021.

The Code works in conjunction with eight different International Standards: Prohibited List, Testing and Investigations, Laboratories, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), Protection of Privacy and Personal Information, Code Compliance by Signatories, Education and Results Management.

A TUE is a certificate granted by an Anti-Doping Organisation to an athlete who suffers a illness or conditions for the use of a set prohibited substance, in certain dosages, with a limited period of validity.

The 2021 Code includes a number of important changes to global anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) around the world.

In compliance with such updates, the WBSC approved its new Anti-Doping Rules. See all the changes to the new version. The WBSC website also summarizes the most significant changes to the Anti-Doping Rules.

Anti-Doping in international baseball and softball is one of the responsibilities of the WBSC Integrity Unit, the independent body created by the WBSC, representing a centralized hub for promoting and ensuring integrity within the Organization. Its responsibilities also include safeguarding, governance and compliance, legal, anti-manipulation of competition, control mechanisms and implementing rules, regulations and norms.

The Athletes' Anti-Doping Rights Act has also entered into force as of January 2021.