National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) regains the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accreditation

What is the News?

National Dope Testing Laboratory(NDTL) has regained the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accreditation.

What is the National Dope Testing Laboratory(NDTL)?

NDTL is a premier analytical testing & research organization established as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It is the only laboratory in the country responsible for human sports dope testing. 

What is the significance of NDTL getting back the accreditation?

NDTL accreditation was suspended in 2019 because of its failure to comply with global standards.

During the suspension period, urine samples collected by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) were being sent primarily to the WADA-accredited lab in Doha.

The process had made the anti-doping programme very expensive for the country because of the significant cost involved in sending samples abroad.

Hence, getting back the accreditation will reduce the cost and will be a boost to India’s efforts to achieve the highest global standards of excellence in sport. 

Note: The government of India is planning to introduce the National Anti-Doping Bill 2021 in Parliament. The Bill gives the NADA powers to conduct raids to nab dope offenders.

Source: This post is based on the article ‘National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) regains the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accreditation’ published in PIB on 23rd Dec 2021.