WADA provides update regarding Ghent Laboratory

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announces that its Laboratory Expert Advisory Group (Lab EAG) has recommended not to impose a sanction against the DoCoLab Universiteit Gent-UGent (Ghent Laboratory) regarding a non-compliance in the application of its Analytical Testing Procedure to confirm the identification of ephedrines. 

Instead, following a thorough review, the Lab EAG has recommended that a public notification be made of the laboratory’s non-conformity, as well as informing stakeholders of its satisfactory resolution through the implementation of adequate preventative and corrective actions.  

On 10 June 2025, the Ghent Laboratory self-reported the non-compliance to WADA. In accordance with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL), the laboratory immediately ceased the application of the relevant procedure and informed the Results Management Authority.  
 
Within a few weeks of the self-reported non-compliance, the laboratory provided WADA with the report of its completed investigation. The laboratory’s investigation report identified the cause of the non-conformity and described the preventive and corrective actions implemented to avoid a recurrence. The report attested to the fitness-for-purpose of the relevant confirmation procedure.   
 
As a result, the Lab EAG confirmed that the Ghent Laboratory could resume the application of its analytical testing procedure for the confirmation of ephedrines.    
 
In accordance with the ISL, WADA is responsible for accrediting and re-accrediting anti-doping laboratories, thereby ensuring that they maintain the highest quality standards. This monitoring process is conducted in conjunction with the assessment of laboratory compliance with the international standard ISO/IEC 17025 by independent national accreditation bodies, which are full members of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and signatories to the ILAC Mutual Recognition Agreement.