The WADA Code
About WADA
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is an independent international institution (a foundation governed by the Swiss Civil Code). It was established in 1999 as a result of the First World Conference on Doping in Sport initiated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Its purpose is to harmonize and coordinate the anti-doping programs at the international and national level with regard to detection, deterrence and prevention of doping.
The World Anti-Doping Code, which has been signed by 180 governments (through the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport and/or the Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe) and all important sports organizations, is the core document that harmonizes regulations regarding anti-doping in sport across all sports and all countries of the world.
The World Anti-Doping Program
The World Anti-Doping Program comprises three levels:
1. The World Anti-Doping Code (Code), which is mandatory for all Code signatories. The first Code entered into force on 1 January 2004. The revised World Anti-Doping Code has been effective since 1 January 2009. The Code is the fundamental and universal document upon which the World Anti-Doping Program in sport is based. One of the purposes of the Code is to ensure harmonized, coordinated and effective anti-doping programs at the international and national level with regard to detection, deterrence and prevention of doping.
From a legal point of view, governments cannot be forced to comply with a non-governmental document such as the World Anti-Doping Code. The following procedure was therefore adopted: Governments ratify the "International Convention against Doping in Sport", an international treaty which was unanimously adopted by 191 governments at the UNESCO General Conference in October 2005. This Convention provides the basis for governments to align their own anti-doping policies with the World Anti-Doping Code.
2. International standards, which are mandatory for all signatories. They contain the technical details necessary for implementing the World Anti-Doping Code. They may be revised from time to time by the WADA Executive Committee after consultation with the signatories and governments (without any amendment to the Code). The standards comprise:
- The Prohibited List - the list of prohibited substances and methods;
- International Standard for Testing (IST) - detailed instructions as to how conduct testing;
- International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) - all aspects of therapeutic use exemptions;
- International Standard for Laboratories (ISL) - detailed instructions for anti-doping laboratories.
3. Models of Best Practice and Guidelines - these are recommended models of best practice and guidelines based on the Code to provide state of the art solutions in different areas of anti-doping. The models are not mandatory for the signatories though.
The Tasks of WADA
The tasks of WADA include seven core areas:
1. World Anti-Doping Code
- Introducing and implementing the World Anti-Doping Code;
- Monitoring compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the International Standards.
2. Science and medicine
- Promoting research dedicated to developing detection methods for prohibited substances and methods; Since 2001, WADA has funded 150 projects with more than 31 million USD;
- Reviewing and updating the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, which is published annually;
- Accrediting anti-doping laboratories worldwide;
- Monitoring Therapeutic Use Exemptions
3. Coordination of anti-doping activities
- Developing and maintaining the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS), a Web-based database management system which assists the partner organizations with the daily anti-doping activities and compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code.
4. Development of an anti-doping community
- Coordinating regional anti-doping organizations with the aim of pooling resources and enabling the provision of mutual education.
5. Education/Further education
- Heading and coordinating effective strategies to prevent doping;
- Designing and coordinating further education programs;
- Assisting partners in implementing anti-doping education programs.
6. Athlete support (e.g. Athlete Outreach Program)
- Educating athletes at international sporting events by establishing one-on-one contact with anti-doping experts;
- Answering athletes' questions about the dangers and consequences of doping;
- Authorizing partners to implement education programs.
7. Out-of-competition testing
- Agreements with partners to help them comply with their responsibility when conducting no advance notice out-of-competition testing.