WADA Independent Ethics Board

Any complaint, denunciation, allegation, or suspicion of breach of the ethical principles of WADA, the WADA Code of Ethics, or its implementing provisions, must be reported to WADA’s independent Ethics Officer. Any person can report as long as the person concerned by the alleged or suspected breach is believed to be a WADA Official as defined in Section 2 to the WADA Code of Ethics.

Remember: If you are unsure about whether the matter falls under the scope of the WADA Code of Ethics, please refer to the FAQs section below, which provides further guidance. Ultimately, it is not the responsibility of the complainant to assess whether a behaviour violates the WADA Code of Ethics, and whether an action is within the scope of the WADA Code of Ethics. The Ethics Officer will review the information and conduct those assessments.

Together, with combined efforts, we can protect ethical behaviours in WADA as an organisation and support its mission for the protection of clean athletes and ensuring a level playing field.

The WADA Code of Ethics imposes, on all WADA Officials, a duty to report any behaviour that is prohibited under the WADA Code of Ethics. 

IEB members and the Ethics Officer are bound by principles of confidentiality. Further, the procedural rules set forth in the WADA Code of Ethics ensure confidentiality in proceedings falling under the scope of the WADA Code of Ethics.

All reports are taken seriously, including anonymous reports which are not differentiated from other formal reports. All reports or complaints will be considered with the highest ethical standards and with care and diligence.

All information and reports should be directed to the WADA Ethics Reporting Platform, which is directly and solely handled by the Ethics Officer. You can also submit a report by email to the Ethics Officer at Ethics.Officer@wada-ama.org. Read more about the WADA Ethics Reporting Platform here.   

The Ethics Officer will receive the information or report and will undertake an initial assessment and/or investigation of the likelihood of a breach of the WADA Code of Ethics or its implementing provisions, and the jurisdiction of the IEB based on the scope of application of the WADA Code of Ethics. During the initial assessment process, the complainant may be contacted by the Ethics Officer for additional information.

A complainant may request that their identity not be revealed and that all reasonable precautions be taken to protect an individual’s identity. The Ethics Officer will decide which measure (if any) shall be taken in that respect. The complainant may object to such a decision, which will be decided by the Chair of the IEB.

If the jurisdiction of the IEB and/or the likelihood of a breach is not established, the Ethics Officer will draft a specific written report to the Chair of the IEB. The complainant will be informed of this decision and may ask the Chair of the IEB to re-examine the file.

If the jurisdiction of the IEB and the likelihood of a breach are established, the Ethics Officer will submit the complaint to the Chair of the IEB with a detailed written report. Then:

• If the IEB considers that there is no likelihood of a breach, it will render a final decision to close the matter, which will be communicated to the complainant.  The decision may be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (if the complainant is considered a party to the proceedings); or
• If the IEB considers that there is a likelihood of a breach and that it has jurisdiction, the complaint will be examined by the IEB (a panel thereof).

If the matter is referred to an IEB panel for adjudication, the panel members will decide if the complainant shall participate as a party to the procedure. Such decision is final.

If the complainant is a party to the procedure, they will be informed of the final decision of the Panel. The complainant does not have the right to appeal this decision.

Proceedings opened under the WADA Code of Ethics are confidential. The complainant and all parties concerned must not disclose to any third party any fact or information relating to the proceedings, except for communication to law enforcement and regulatory authorities, or when required by a court having jurisdiction on the matter that is the subject of the proceedings.

WADA “Officials” are subject to the jurisdiction of the IEB, as well as of the Ethics Officer and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Under Section 2 of the WADA Code of Ethics, Officials are defined as:

1. Members of the WADA Foundation Board (including the Founding President and deputies);
2. Members of the WADA Executive Committee, including deputies;
3. All members serving on WADA Committees, including Permanent Special Committees, Standing Committees, Ad hoc Committees, or any other Committees, Expert Advisory Groups or Working Groups established by and/or within WADA, including deputies or substitutes;
4. WADA agents, consultants, and contractors;
5. Each person employed (whether full-time, part-time, permanently, for fixed term or temporarily), or otherwise functioning as a member of WADA staff, including the Director General and WADA Management;
6. Any other person who agrees to be bound by the WADA Code of Ethics.

(WADA Code of Ethics, Section 2)

The IEB and the Ethics Officer are in charge of implementing the WADA Code of Ethics. (WADA Code of Ethics, Section 4.2)

The Independent Ethics Board is comprised of nine members, including the Chair of the IEB. (Annex A to WADA Code of Ethics, Section 2.1)

The WADA Nominations Committee identifies, reviews, and vets candidates for the Chair position and other members of the IEB. The Public Authorities and the Olympic Movement appoint one member each to sit on the IEB. Members appointed by the Public Authorities and the Olympic Movement may not be appointed Chair or Vice-Chair of the IEB. The WADA Foundation Board has the authority to appoint and remove members of the IEB, including the Chair of the Board. (Annex A to WADA Code of Ethics, Section 2.3)

The IEB performs its duties as stated in the WADA Code of Ethics, which include the following:

• The IEB considers if there is a likelihood of a breach and if it has jurisdiction over complaints submitted by the Ethics Officer.
• A panel of either one or five members of the IEB hears and determines matters under the WADA Code of Ethics.
• The Chair of the IEB may, either ex officio or upon request from the Ethics Officer, the Executive Committee, or the parties, decide on provisional measures at any time during the investigation and until a final decision is made, and provided that the situation so requires.
• In the case of any breach of the WADA Code of Ethics or the implementation of its provisions, the IEB may decide to impose measures and sanctions on the Officials in accordance with Section 5 of the WADA Code of Ethics.
• The IEB may decide to publish the decisions it makes under the WADA Code of Ethics.
• The role of the IEB also includes raising awareness of the WADA Code of Ethics

The Ethics Officer is appointed, and subject to removal, by the IEB. The IEB searches and identifies suitable candidate profiles and requests the WADA Nominations Committee to review and vet candidates for the position, and then provide recommendations to the IEB. The Ethics Officer is appointed for a three-year, renewable term. The reappointment is limited to two additional three-year terms and the Ethics Officer cannot serve more than nine years in total. (Annex A to WADA Code of Ethics, Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.4).

The Ethics Officer acts independently of WADA, is not a WADA employee, and reports to the Chair of the IEB. (Annex A to the WADA Code of Ethics, Section 3.3)

The Ethics Officer must meet the standard of independence established in the WADA Governance Regulations (Section 1.2 of the By Laws on Independence) and the strictest requirements of independence per Section 2 of the By Laws on Independence. (Annex A to WADA Code of Ethics, Section 3.5)

The Ethics Officer is required to have high levels in competencies such as integrity and personal values; cultural awareness; complaints, case and investigation management; and required to display high level skills in judgement, decision making and communication. Selection of the Ethics Officer also examines their international experience, relevant education, knowledge of languages, anti-doping, anti-corruption and understanding of sport.

The Ethics Officer:

• Performs their duties as assigned by the WADA Code of Ethics, and whenever a case is referred to them and/or when instructed by the IEB, but not ex-officio. (Annex A to the WADA Code of Ethics, Section 3.3)
• Must review “all complaints, denunciations, allegations, or suspicions of breach of the ethical principles of WADA, the WADA Code of Ethics or its implementing provisions” subject to limitations under Section 1.2 second paragraph of the WADA Code of Ethics. The IEB may also submit complaints to the Ethics Officer for investigation. (Annex A to WADA Code of Ethics, Section 4.1.1)
• Upon receiving a complaint, analyses the jurisdiction of the IEB based on the scope of application of the WADA Code of Ethics; decides what measures are required to protect the identity of the complainant; and conducts relevant investigations. Investigations may include analysing documents, files and other hardcopy and electronic information, requesting the provision of such information, conducting interviews, and obtaining relevant expert reports. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Ethics Officer will provide a detailed written report to the Chair of the IEB. (Annex A to the WADA Code of Ethics, Sections 4.1 and 4.2)

Yes, except for Sections 4 (Implementation), 5 (Sanctions and Measures) and 6 (Provisional Measure) of the WADA Code of Ethics, which concern procedural and sanctioning matters in relation to a breach thereof.  Following an alleged breach of the WADA Code of Ethics by a member of WADA staff, formal proceedings will be conducted under the applicable disciplinary rules and in accordance with applicable labour law. Any dispute regarding the proceedings would be adjudicated by the competent local ordinary courts or labour law courts. (WADA Code of Ethics, Section 2, Par. 2).

Officials are required to comply with all applicable laws and regulations and respect the WADA ethical principles. Officials must conduct themselves honestly, fairly, and impartially, and act in accordance with the principles of integrity and transparency. Officials must also act with objectivity, and independence when making decisions. The WADA Code of Ethics provides a detailed section on its fundamental principles and include, among others, the duty of due care, diligence and confidentiality, the respect of good governance principles, and the duty to report and to cooperate. In addition, any attempt, instigation, complicity or collusion regarding ethical misconduct, is prohibited under the WADA Code of Ethics.

(WADA Code of Ethics, Section 3)

Such prohibited conducts include, but are not limited to:

• Taking a decision when impaired by bias, prejudice, or a conflict of interest
• Disrespecting human dignity
• Discriminating, harassing or bullying someone
• Behaving in a manner which would bring, or risk bringing, WADA into disrepute
• Offering or accepting a bribe, payment, commission, gift, or other inducement or undue incentive (whether monetary or otherwise) in order to unduly influence any action, conduct, omission, or decision in connection with any matter relating to, or involving, WADA
• Retaliating against someone for pursuing their legitimate rights
• Being involved in a fraud
• Violating the confidentiality obligations imposed on each Official
• Behaving in a disrespectful manner at a WADA meeting or event

Tokens of consideration or friendship that are of nominal value, in accordance with prevailing local customs, may be given or accepted by Officials (in addition to their normal compensation). (WADA Code of Ethics, Section 3.4, Par. 4)

Officials must report immediately to the Ethics Officer if:

• They are approached, or receive an invitation to engage in any conduct, that might amount to a breach of the WADA Code of Ethics.
• They are aware of any information that may constitute a potential breach of the WADA Code of Ethics.

(WADA Code of Ethics, Section 3.8)

A non-exhaustive list of sanctions is included in the WADA Code of Ethics, and ranges from a warning to a fine or removal from office. The IEB may also impose sanctions other than what is specifically provided in the WADA Code of Ethics. (WADA Code of Ethics, Section 5)

All proceedings opened under the WADA Code of Ethics are confidential. Exceptions are made for matters requiring the sharing of information with law enforcement and regulatory authorities, and when required by a Court having jurisdiction on the matter which is subject of the proceedings. (WADA Code of Ethics, Section 4.3)

All information and reports should be directed to the WADA Ethics Reporting Platform, which is directly and solely handled by the Ethics Officer. You can also submit a report by email to the Ethics Officer at Ethics.Officer@wada-ama.org. Read more about the WADA Ethics Reporting Platform here.