The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) met virtually on 17 and 18 February 2021 to discuss a number of important issues relating to WADA’s Compliance Monitoring Program. In particular, after reviewing global anti-doping programs and compliance activity from World Anti-Doping Code (Code) Signatories during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the CRC decided to resume compliance procedures* for Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) that have not completed the corrective actions they have received as part of a WADA Corrective Action Report (CAR) under the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS). These compliance procedures had been “frozen” upon recommendation from the CRC since April 2020 due to the pandemic. Signatories were advised of this change earlier today.

In addition, the Committee discussed in particular:

• Details of WADA’s monitoring of the implementation by Signatories of the consequences imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case between WADA and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), as well as WADA’s monitoring of RUSADA in light of the CAS decision;
• Developments in WADA’s compliance monitoring program, including monitoring of Signatories’ anti-doping rules in light of the 2021 Code and the conduct of virtual audits, which have temporarily replaced in-person audits due to ongoing travel restrictions and public health guidance;
• The Agency’s 2020 Annual Compliance Report, which is being finalized and will be published in the coming weeks. This will be the second such report to be published after the 2019 Compliance Annual Report;
• Plans to revise the ISCCS and to launch an open stakeholder consultation process in the coming months; and
• An update on a number of specific cases of Signatories in relation to ongoing compliance matters.

The CRC is responsible for providing independent advice, guidance and recommendations to WADA Management and governing bodies on matters relating to Signatories’ compliance with their obligations under the Code. The Committee will hold its next meeting virtually on 14-15 April 2021 and its Chair, the Hon. James Wood QC, will report to the next meetings of WADA’s Executive Committee and Foundation Board that will be held on 20-21 May 2021. For more information on Code compliance, please visit the Code Compliance section of WADA’s website.

• This media release was published by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on 22 February 2021. Click here for the original.

^{*A compliance procedure is opened by WADA’s internal Compliance Taskforce when a Signatory does not resolve a non-conformity contained in a CAR by a given deadline. As a result, the Signatory is generally given a further three months to resolve the outstanding non-conformity to the satisfaction of WADA prior to it being referred to the CRC.}