World Anti-Doping Agency

What is the Prohibited List?

The Prohibited List (List) was first published in 1963 under the leadership of the International Olympic Committee. Since 2004, as mandated by the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), WADA is responsible for the preparation and publication of the List.
The List is a cornerstone of the Code and a key component of harmonization.
It is an International Standard identifying Substances and Methods prohibited in-competition, out-of-competition, and in particular sports.
Substances and methods are classified by categories (e.g., steroids, stimulants, gene doping).
The use of any Prohibited Substance by an athlete for medical reasons is possible by virtue of a Therapeutic Use Exemption.

How is the List updated?*

Guidelines for the annual review and consequent publication of the List are outlined in the Code.
The agreed process for the annual consideration of the List includes three meetings (see timeline below) of the WADA List Committee with a draft discussion List being published and circulated for consultation in June, following the second meeting.*
At its third meeting, the List Committee, in September, following full and proper consideration of the submissions received from the consultation process, recommends the new List to the Health, Medical and Research Committee which in turn makes recommendations to the WADA Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee at its September meeting finalizes the List.
The updated List is published by October 1 and it comes into effect on January 1 the following year.

What is the role of WADA’s List Committee?

The List Committee (Committee) is a panel of eleven scientists chosen for their international expertise.
It is a subgroup of the WADA Health, Medical and Research Committee.
The Committee meets three times each year.
The Committee makes recommendations on the contents and revisions to the Prohibited List.

List Revision Timeline*

February- March	First meeting of the List Committee to define new and key areas of activities and allocate tasks.
April - May	Second meeting of the List Committee to prepare the Draft List.
June – July	Draft List circulated to stakeholders (government and sports movement) for consultation and comment.
August	Stakeholder comments received; Integration of relevant comments into the Draft List; Draft List circulated to List Committee.
September	Third meeting of the List Committee to review comments and Draft List; Draft List circulated to WADA’s Health, Medical and Research Committee for discussion and final recommendation; Circulation of the List to WADA’s Executive Committee for discussion and approval.
October	Publication of the Updated List which comes into effect on January 1 the following year.
January	The Updated List comes into effect on January 1.

*This description of the process for reviewing and updating the Prohibited List is for information only. WADA reserves the right to deviate from this process and in no way any such deviation could be construed as invalidating the List.