World Anti-Doping Code

When was the Code established?

A major breakthrough in the fight against doping in sport came in March 2003 with the agreement of the World Anti-Doping Code. The Code harmonised regulations regarding anti-doping across all sports and countries of the world, providing a framework for anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport organisations and among public authorities.

Who has agreed to the Code?

Each country and each international sports federation is required to sign up to and implement the Code. National governing bodies of sport then need to ensure they are compliant with the relevant international sports federation and their national anti-doping organisation. This process of implementation is ongoing as sports gradually update their rules to comply with the Code.

Has UK Sport adopted the Code?

UK Sport has adopted the Code through its UK National Anti-Doping Policy (May 2005) which aims to ‘protect an Athlete’s fundamental right to participate in doping-free sport and thus promote health, fairness and equality for Athletes in the UK’.

Under-pinning the Code is a set of four International Standards that outline mandatory systems and processes for; testing, the therapeutic use of prohibited substances or methods, the Prohibited List and WADA accredited laboratory processes.

International Standards

The Code is supported by four International Standards that outline mandatory systems and processes for; testing, the therapeutic use of a prohibited substance or method, the Prohibited List and WADA accredited laboratories.