In September 2019, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) published the 2020 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List), the 2020 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes and the 2020 Monitoring Program. The List, which was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee on 23 September 2019, will come into force on 1 January 2020.

The List designates which substances and methods are prohibited, both in and out of competition, and which substances are banned in specific sports.

“WADA is pleased to announce the publication of the 2020 Prohibited List,” said WADA Director General Olivier Niggli. “Updated annually, the List undergoes an extensive consultation period with a wide array of anti-doping stakeholders from around the globe. This is a very comprehensive process which aims to ensure that new substances and methods with doping potential – which are either currently on the market or in some cases still in clinical development – are included in the List. This helps us to protect not only the integrity of sport, but the health of athletes worldwide.”

The List’s annual revision process is carried out by WADA. For a substance or method to be added to the List, it must meet two of the following three criteria: it has the potential to enhance or enhances sports performance; it represents an actual or potential health risk to the athletes; or it violates the spirit of sport.

Athletes are responsible for the substances that enter their bodies and the methods included in the List. They and their entourages can be held liable in the event of an anti-doping rule violation and subjected to disciplinary proceedings. As a result, WADA publishes the List in sufficient time so that athletes and their entourages can acquaint themselves with any modifications and take all measures that may be required to ensure compliance with WADA’s and FIFA’s regulations.

It should be noted that athletes who have a legitimate medical reason for using a prohibited substance or method that is on the List may be accommodated if they meet the criteria outlined in the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE). The TUE process has been overwhelmingly accepted by athletes, doctors and anti-doping stakeholders worldwide.

To view the changes made to the 2020 Prohibited List compared to the 2019 version, please see the 2020 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes.