WADA adds Iran National Anti-Doping Organization to compliance ‘watchlist’

As part of a circulatory vote that ended on 14 May 2025, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Executive Committee (ExCo) endorsed a revised recommendation of the Agency’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC), communicated on 18 April 2025, to add the National Anti-Doping Organization of Iran (Iran NADO) to WADA’s compliance ‘watchlist’.  

The Iran NADO was alleged non-compliant at the virtual ExCo meeting on 27 March 2025 in connection with non-conformities related to the area of testing that were identified through the Code Compliance Questionnaire (CCQ) exercise.   

Since the ExCo meeting and prior to the expiration of the 21 days following receipt of the formal notice of non-compliance, the Iran NADO provided an updated Test Distribution Plan (TDP) and a corrective action plan detailing how it would correct all of the pending critical non-conformities within four months. On this basis, and in line with Article 9.3.1.2 of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), by adding the Iran NADO to the ‘watchlist’, the ExCo has given it four months to execute its corrective action plan.  

If by 14 September 2025 the non-conformities have not been corrected to the satisfaction of the CRC, the Iran NADO will be sent a new formal notice alleging non-compliance with the Code, without the need for a further decision by the ExCo.  

As such, and as mentioned in the communication from 18 April, the non-compliance consequences for the Iran NADO are not in effect at this stage. WADA will continue to provide further updates as necessary. 

The CRC is responsible for providing independent advice, guidance and recommendations to WADA Management and governing bodies on matters relating to Signatories' compliance with their obligations under the Code.