New Delhi dope testing lab suspended by world body
WADA imposes 6-month ban due to failure to conform with international standards
Montreal: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has suspended the accreditation of the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in New Delhi, barring the facility from conducting any anti-doping tests for up to six months.
The suspension, which took effect on August 20, was imposed due to non-conformities with the International Standard for Laboratories, the global anti-doping body said Thursday.
The irregularities, identified during a site visit by WADA, included some in relation to the lab’s Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) analytical method.
After WADA’s laboratory expert group recommended disciplinary proceedings in May, a disciplinary committee recommended the suspension.
While the lab is suspended samples that have not yet been analyzed by the lab, samples undergoing a confirmation test and any samples that have returned an adverse result must be securely transported to another WADA-accredited laboratory for testing.
“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,” WADA said in a statement.
The laboratory can appeal the suspension or apply for reinstatement before six months have passed if it has addressed non-conforming procedures.