WADA launches stakeholder consultation process for four new Technical Documents and one Technical Letter

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) invites stakeholders to participate in a consultation process to revise the following four new Technical Documents (TDs), which are directly linked to the ongoing update process of the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL), and one Technical Letter (TL): 

TD2027EQAS – External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) 

TD EQAS is based on the 2021 ISL, Article 6, and provides a description of the WADA EQAS; its objectives; the types, number, and composition of EQAS samples; and the Laboratory procedural requirements for the analysis of EQAS samples and the reporting of EQAS results. 

TD2027PERF – Laboratory Performance Evaluation 

TD PERF is based on the 2021 ISL, Article 7 (and other relevant articles), and describes the procedures (timelines, actions, outcomes) for evaluating Laboratory EQAS and routine Analytical Testing performance by WADA. This TD also includes articles describing the evaluation procedure for candidate laboratories (Assessment of Pre-Probationary Test EQAS results), probationary laboratories (Final Accreditation Test EQAS and assessment), WADA Assessments, Blood Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) EQAS, and definitions to qualify nonconformities and recommendations. 

TD2027VAL – Technical Document on Minimum Requirements for Validation of Analytical Testing Procedures for Doping Control 

TD VAL is based on the 2021 ISL, Article 5.3.5, and outlines the minimum requirements applicable to the validation of Analytical Testing Procedures applied in Doping Control. This TD emphasizes the requirements for the preparation of Validation Reports and the minimum set of validation parameters according to the different types of procedures. 

TD2027ATP – Technical Document on Analytical Testing Procedures 

TD ATP establishes the framework for the application of Analytical Testing Procedures for Doping Control. This TD was developed to ensure consistency and transparency in the implementation of Analytical Testing Procedures across all Laboratories. 

TL26 Clomifene - Instructions on the Analysis and Reporting of Clomifene (CLO) Findings in Urine Samples 

This new TL defines a Minimum Reporting Level (MRL) and analysis requirements for clomifene. This substance, which is prohibited at all times and is classified under class S4.2 Anti-Estrogenic Substances of the Prohibited List, may be present in athletes' urine as a result of the consumption of poultry-derived products (i.e., chicken eggs and meat) contaminated with residues of clomifene. 

WADA circulated this TL for stakeholder consultation from 30 January to 22 February 2025. Following this consultation, a recommendation was incorporated to allow the reporting of clomifene findings at urinary concentrations below the MRL of 2 ng/mL as Atypical Findings, which would trigger mandatory investigations by Results Management Authorities. 

Stakeholders are invited to review and provide comments by 16 May 2025 using WADA’s online consultation platform, WADAConnect.  

For more information related to the use of WADAConnect, please refer to the simple user guide. 

About WADA’s Technical Letters and Documents 

Under the International Standard for Laboratories, WADA’s TLs and TDs provide direction to WADA-accredited laboratories, WADA-approved laboratories for the ABP, and other stakeholders. TLs are concerned with issues of analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results for specific Prohibited Substance(s) and/or Prohibited Method(s) or with the application of specific Laboratory procedures, whereas TDs are concerned with technical and procedural issues. 

As part of WADA’s mandate to enhance anti-doping activities under the World Anti-Doping Code, TLs and TDs are occasionally revised to reflect scientific and technological advances in the performance of anti-doping tests and the reporting of test results. They are revised and refined in consultation with WADA stakeholders. 

For any questions related to the above, we invite you to contact WADA’s Science Department at science@wada-ama.org.

We thank you in advance for your feedback.