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Montreal, 2 August 2018 – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has partially suspended the Doping Control Laboratory at the Karolinska University Hospital (Stockholm Laboratory) as it relates to the Gas chromatography combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) method. This partial suspension was imposed due to a non-conformity for this specific method with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL).
The partial suspension will remain in place pending disciplinary proceedings carried out by an independent Disciplinary Committee, which will be mandated to make a recommendation to the Chair of the WADA Executive Committee. It is important to note that, during the partial suspension, the Stockholm Laboratory can continue carrying out its regular anti-doping activities, as per the ISL. However, all routine samples that require GC/C/IRMS analysis shall be securely transported with a demonstrable chain of custody 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 of the wider anti-doping system.
This type of partial suspension, which is limited to a certain analytical method as per the ISL, allows for appropriate monitoring of the Stockholm Laboratory to ensure full implementation of necessary improvements with the objective of return to full compliance for this method.
According to the ISL, WADA is responsible for accrediting and re-accrediting anti-doping laboratories, thereby ensuring that they maintain the highest quality standards. This monitoring process is conducted in conjunction with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) assessment by independent national accreditation bodies that are full members of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). Whenever a laboratory does not meet ISL requirements, WADA may suspend the laboratory’s accreditation.
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