The role of International Standards

The Code functions together with the WADA International Standards and various Guidelines or Models of Best Practice which may be adopted by anti-doping organisations, in relation to the processes under the Standards. The Guidelines are not mandatory, whereas Signatories must apply and comply with the International Standards in order to fulfil their obligations. The Standards are an important part of the agreed regime under the Code, and the Articles of the Code make direct reference to them where testing, the analysis of samples to establish doping, the designation of prohibited substances and methods and the grant of therapeutic use exemptions are referred to. In these areas, the Code provides the framework, while the Standards provide the detail. An anti-doping organisation which agrees to the Code, and an athlete or other person who is bound to it, will agree to the application of both the Code and the Standards. Often, a challenge to an alleged anti-doping violation will involve the detailed consideration of the Standards (and related technical documents concerning such matters as the method of analysing samples for specific prohibited substances or methods) applicable to the process of testing and analysis, in order to determine whether the anti-doping organisation has carried out its obligations properly.

The International Standards are:

• the Prohibited List 2008;

• the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions;

• the International Standard for Testing; and

• the International Standard for Laboratories.