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WADA reinstates accreditation of New Delhi Laboratory

New Delhi lab

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announces that, in accordance with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL), it has approved, with immediate effect, the reinstatement of accreditation of the National Dope Testing Laboratory (New Delhi Laboratory) in New Delhi, India. This reinstatement allows the New Delhi Laboratory to resume its anti-doping activities, including the analyses of urine and blood samples. 

An original six-month suspension was imposed in August 2019 due to non-conformities with the ISL identified during a WADA site visit, including in relation to the Laboratory’s Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) analytical method, as regulated by the relevant WADA Technical Document (TD2016IRMS).

In February 2020, when the six-month suspension period elapsed, some outstanding non-conformities resulted in a second six-month suspension which began on 17 July 2020.

The second suspension was to remain in effect until the Laboratory’s satisfactory completion of the requirements of the aforementioned decision. However, the suspension was extended for another six months in January 2021 as COVID-19 impacted WADA’s ability to conduct an on-site assessment of the Laboratory. Based on the pandemic conditions, WADA’s Laboratory Expert Advisory Group (Lab EAG) concluded that a remote assessment was the only option available, and scheduling of the remote assessment was delayed until the Laboratory could fully participate in September 2021 (due to the pandemic’s impact on the Laboratory).

The Lab EAG has since reviewed the remote assessment corrective action reports and the Laboratory’s responses; and, has concluded that the Laboratory has met the conditions imposed. It therefore recommended that the Laboratory’s WADA accreditation be reinstated. In keeping with the ISL, WADA’s President, Witold Bańka, in his capacity as Chair of the Agency’s Executive Committee (ExCo), reviewed and approved this recommendation.

WADA President Witold Bańka said: “WADA is pleased to confirm that the New Delhi Laboratory’s accreditation has been reinstated after what has been an extended process due to complications related to COVID-19. We would like to thank the Laboratory staff for their cooperation throughout the process. We will continue to work closely with them to ensure that the Laboratory continues to operate to the high standards required by WADA.”

WADA is responsible for accrediting and re-accrediting anti-doping laboratories, thereby ensuring that they maintain the highest quality standards. When a laboratory does not meet ISL requirements, WADA may decide to suspend or revoke the laboratory’s accreditation. This monitoring role is conducted in conjunction with ISO/IEC 17025 assessment by independent national accreditation bodies that are full members of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

As stipulated within the ISL, this decision is hereby communicated to all relevant national public authorities; national accreditation bodies; National Anti-Doping Organizations; National Olympic Committees; International Federations and the International Olympic Committee. 

The full list of accredited laboratories can be found on WADA’s website.