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

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) invites stakeholders to participate in a consultation process to revise the following International Standard for Laboratories (ISL) Technical Documents (TDs) and one ISL Technical Letter (TL):

ISL TD2027MRPL – Minimum Required Performance Levels (MRPLs) for Non-Threshold Substances Analyzed by Chromatographic-Mass Spectrometric Analytical Methods

The ISL TD2027MRPL has been substantially reorganized and clarified to strengthen the harmonized implementation of MRPLs for non-threshold substances analyzed by chromatographic–mass spectrometric methods. A key structural change is that the former TD MRPL combined content addressing the establishment of MRPLs as well as the application of Minimum Reporting Levels (MRL) for some Non-threshold Substances has been split into two separate documents for better clarity: the ISL TD2027MRPL, focused on method performance and detection capability expectations, and the new ISL TD2027MRL, focused on MRL-related requirements. The revision also restructures Table 1 to focus on MRPLs by substance class, adds a new S0 category with MRPLs for relevant non-approved substances, and introduces new Tables 2a/2b establishing MRPLs for confounding factors.

ISL TD2027MRL – Minimum Reporting Levels (MRLs) Applied in Doping Control

The ISL TD2027MRL is a new Technical Document that standardizes MRL requirements applicable to the reporting of some Non-threshold Substances, bringing into one coherent framework several MRL-related provisions that were previously spread across multiple ISL TLs. This results in improved clarity, the facilitation of consistent case interpretation and supports Laboratory compliance. In addition, this ISL TD defines when findings shall be reported as Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs), or when specific circumstances allow the reporting of findings at levels below the MRL as Atypical Findings (ATFs).

ISL TD2027DL – Decision Limits for the Confirmatory Quantification of Exogenous Threshold Substances

The updated ISL TD2027DL includes the addition of two new Threshold Substances: Cobalt (inorganic Co²⁺) and Salmeterol. Further, this revised TD introduces new quantitative statistics and Quality Control (QC) acceptance/rejection criteria, provides additional interpretative guidance for Cathine and Morphine findings and further clarifies when specific gravity adjustment of the Decision Limit is required.

ISL TD2027NA – Harmonization of Analysis and Reporting of 19-Norsteroids

The updated ISL TD2027NA strengthens the harmonization of the analysis and reporting of 19-norsteroids by tightening the key performance/QC expectations. Notably, it reinforces Initial Testing Procedure (ITP) sensitivity (LOD for 19-NA and 19-NE ≤ 1 ng/mL), adds clearer sample-preparation controls, and introduces a more explicit calibrator/QC scheme in line with the requirements of the new ISL TD MRL. This revised TD also defines structured GC/C/IRMS application rules for better clarity.

ISL TL27 – Sample Manipulation (Tampering or Attempted Tampering): Instructions on the Analysis and Reporting of Urine Sample Tampering or Attempted Tampering

The ISL TL27 is a new Technical Letter that establishes a stepwise framework for the assessment, documentation, and reporting of suspected urine sample manipulation (tampering or attempted tampering), including initial observations and follow-up evaluation of relevant endogenous markers and other analytical indicators, escalation pathways (where appropriate) for additional investigations, and consistent reporting guidance to support case interpretation. This ISL TL has been drafted based on Article 4 of the TD for Measurement and Reporting of Endogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (EAAS) Markers of the Urinary Steroid Profile (TD2021EAAS).

Stakeholders are invited to review and provide comments by 16 February 2026 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 TDs and TLs provide direction to WADA-accredited laboratories, WADA-approved laboratories for the Athlete Biological Passport, and other stakeholders

TDs and TLs are approved by the WADA Executive Committee and published on WADA’s website. Once approved, TDs or TLs become an integral part of the ISL and supersede any previous publication on a similar topic.

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, TDs and TLs 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 us at science@wada-ama.org.

We thank you in advance for your feedback.