WADA suspends India’s National Dope Testing Laboratory
The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in New Delhi has been suspended for up to six months due to non-conformities with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL).
Published : Aug 23, 2019 08:22 IST
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has suspended the accreditation of the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) for a period of up to six months due to non-conformities with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL).
The flaws, including in relation to the laboratory’s isotope ratio mass spectrometry analytical method as regulated by the relevant technical document, were identified by WADA during a site visit in Delhi.
The disciplinary proceedings were initiated by WADA’s Laboratory Expert Group (LabEG) in May last. The process was subsequently carried out by an independent disciplinary committee as per the procedure.
“The suspension, which took effect on August 20, prohibits the NDTL from carrying out any anti-doping activities, including all analyses of urine and blood samples,” WADA said in a statement on Friday.
“During the period of suspension, samples that have not yet been analysed by the NDTL; samples currently undergoing a confirmation procedure; and any samples for which an adverse analytical finding has been reported, must be securely transported to another WADA-accredited laboratory. This is in order to ensure continued high-quality sample analysis, which also helps preserve athletes’ confidence in this process and the wider anti-doping system.”
NDTL can appeal this decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days of receipt of notice.
During its suspension, NDTL “shall address all non-conformities” in any request for corrective action or otherwise, as well as any additional non-conformities identified during any follow-up WADA site visit.”
BCCI wants update from NADA on new testing lab The BCCI is set to seek an update from NADA about its choice of laboratory for testing samples after the WADA suspended the NDTL accreditation for six months. While the BCCI for a number of years got its sample collected by Sweden’s IDTM and tested at the NDTL, being forced to come under NADA’s ambit recently didn’t go down too well with some cricket administrators. “Yes, we also got our sample tested by NDTL but now we are NADA-affiliated sports federation. Naturally, we are concerned about WADA suspension of NDTL. Our question to NADA is where would the samples of our players be tested. We would like a clear update and a letter will be sent to NADA DG next week,” a senior BCCI official told PTI . “We are currently employing a wait-and-watch policy. It’s NADA that had announced that they would test players during Duleep Trophy. Already the second game is on and to the best of my knowledge, there hadn’t been any sample collection,” the official, privy to the developments, said. |
If NDTL satisfies the LabEG about these requirements, it can apply for reinstatement prior to the expiry of the six-month suspension period. In case it does not address the non-conformities by the end of six months, WADA may extend the suspension for up to an additional six months.
During NDTL’s suspension, National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) will have to collect samples and send them to an overseas WADA-accredited laboratory for testing.