Banned Substances

The Prohibited List (List) was first published in 1963 under the leadership of the International Olympic Committee. Since 2004, as mandated by the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), WADA is responsible for the preparation and publication of the List.
The List is a cornerstone of the Code and a key component of harmonization.
It is an International Standard identifying Substances and Methods prohibited in-competition, out-of-competition, and in particular sports.
Substances and methods are classified by categories (e.g., steroids, stimulants, gene doping).
The use of any Prohibited Substance by an athlete for medical reasons is possible by virtue of a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) process which is specific to the level at which an athlete competes. For more details on the TUE process - click here.

Guidelines for the annual review and consequent publication of the List are outlined in the Code.
The agreed process for the annual consideration of the List includes three meetings of the WADA List Committee with a draft discussion List being published and circulated for consultation in June, following the second meeting.*
At its third meeting, the List Committee, in September, following full and proper consideration of the submissions received from the consultation process, recommends the new List to the Health, Medical and Research Committee which in turn makes recommendations to the WADA Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee at its September meeting finalizes the List.
The updated List is published by October 1 and it comes into effect on January 1 the following year.

The List Committee (Committee) is a panel of scientists chosen for their international expertise.
It is a subgroup of the WADA Health, Medical and Research Committee.
The Committee meets three times each year.
The Committee makes recommendations on the contents and revisions to the Prohibited List.