WADA accreditation is based upon compliance with two international standards:
- ISO/IEC 17025
- International Standard for Laboratories
WADA has established close ties with both international and national standard-setting bodies, including the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), to facilitate the process of assessment of laboratories for compliance with both standards.
The effectiveness of the global fight against doping depends on the ability of anti-doping laboratories to reliably identify and sometimes quantify the substances prohibited in sport as defined by WADA's List of Prohibited Substances and Methods.
WADA monitors the performance of accredited anti-doping laboratories through a continuous External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS). Participation in the EQAS is mandatory for all WADA accredited laboratories.
WADA's External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) allows evaluation of laboratory competency through a continuous assessment of their performance and provides laboratories with opportunities to compare their results, with the aim to enhance harmonization of test results among accredited laboratories. WADA's EQAS also incorporates educational opportunities for the WADA accredited laboratories.
For more information on the accreditation process and WADA's EQAS process, please consult the International Standard for Laboratories, particularly section 4.0 and Annex A.