WADA Revokes Penang Laboratory Accreditation

WADA has revoked the accreditation of the laboratory in Penang, Malaysia, due to non-compliance with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL) and related Technical Documents.

This revocation, which will take effect on July 17, 2010, means that the Penang laboratory will no longer be authorized to carry out anti-doping analyses. The laboratory will have to regain WADA accreditation if it wishes to do so.

The decision was taken by WADA’s Executive Committee following a thorough review of the status of the laboratory by WADA’s Disciplinary Panel. The Penang laboratory had been suspended in May 2010 for failing to meet WADA’s quality requirements. It will remain suspended and will continue to not be authorized to carry out anti-doping analyses until its accreditation is revoked on July 17, 2010.

Pursuant to the ISL, WADA is responsible for accrediting and re-accrediting anti-doping laboratories, thereby ensuring that they maintain the highest quality standards. This monitoring is conducted in conjunction with ISO assessment by independent national accreditation bodies that are full members of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). Whenever a laboratory does not meet ISL requirements, WADA may suspend the laboratory’s accreditation. WADA may revoke a laboratory’s accreditation for repeated failures to comply with the ISL and related Technical Documents.

The laboratory may appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days.