Releases
WADA releases updated Guidelines to complement the 2021 International Standard for Testing and Investigations
Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publishes updated Guidelines to support Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) in their implementation of the 2021 International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI), which came into force on 1 January 2021.
The below guidelines are the first two in a set of four guidelines that will be published over the coming weeks:
- Guidelines for Sample Collection Personnel; and
- Guidelines for Sample Collection (previously titled, Urine Sample Collection Guidelines and Blood Sample Collection Guidelines).
The guidelines have been updated not only to be in line with the 2021 ISTI requirements but also to offer more practical examples for ADOs implementing a sample collection personnel program and/or sample collection procedures.
The guidelines can be found on WADA’s website and on its Anti-Doping Education and Learning platform (ADEL), as part of the Code Implementation Support Program (CISP). The guidelines are accompanied by a suite of operational templates which are also available on ADEL.
While the guidelines are initially being released in English, the official French versions will follow in the coming weeks along with the remaining two ISTI guidelines, namely:
- Guidelines for Implementing an Effective Testing Program; and
- Guidelines for Gathering Information and Sharing Intelligence.
WADA guidelines provide Code Signatories with recommended practices for several aspects of anti-doping programs. While they are not mandatory, they offer technical guidance to ADOs in the implementation of their anti-doping programs. As with all guidelines under the World Anti-Doping Program, these documents are subject to ongoing review.
Should you have any questions regarding the guidelines related to the 2021 ISTI, or wish to provide feedback, please contact WADA’s Standards and Harmonization Department at: SandH@wada-ama.org
