WADA - Gene Doping Working Group - Terms of Reference

WADA GD WG ToR – January 2026 1 / 4

GENE DOPING WORKING GROUP

Terms of Reference

The WADA Gene Doping Working Group (GD WG) is a specific Working Group1 created by the WADA Science & Medicine Department at the request of the WADA Laboratory Expert Advisory Group (Lab EAG).

These Terms of Reference (ToR) are approved by the WADA Director General, following consultation with the Senior Associate Director of Science & Medicine, Laboratories.

Purpose

To be responsible for providing expert advice, recommendations, and guidance to WADA Management, and to the Lab EAG with respect to the drafting of a new Technical Document on Gene Doping (TD GD).

The GD WG will conduct its mandate from 1 January to September 2026 period. It will draft the TD2027GD, which is anticipated to be submitted for approval by the WADA Executive Committee in September 2026 with an effective date of 1 January 2027. The necessary meeting timelines will be framed with this in mind.

There may be future work for this WG, and it will be evaluated at the end of this current period.

Objectives/Key Activities

1. Draft the TD2027GD. 2) Participate as external experts in laboratory assessments , focusing on the evaluation of laboratory GD method performance. 3) Provide expert opinion on scientific and technical issues related to GD testing, including feedback on laboratory corrective actions (CARs) associated with the external quality assessment scheme (EQAS) or routine GD test performance or resulting from laboratory on-site assessments in a timely fashion.

Reporting Structure

The GD WG reports to WADA Management and the Lab EAG.

1 WGs are created on an as-needed basis only, and generally with a defined mandate requiring deliverables within a set timeframe. Where the expected deliverables are not met, an extension of mandate is possible, however it is not expected that WGs continu e

1 WGs are created on an as-needed basis only, and generally with a defined mandate requiring deliverables within a set timeframe. Where the expected deliverables are not met, an extension of mandate is possible, however it is not expected that WGs continu e indefinitely. If it is considered that their work should be ongoing in nature, whether WG should be elevated to an Expert Advisory Group would need to be determined.WADA GD WG ToR – January 2026 2 / 4

Membership/Composition

The composition of the GD WG shall not exceed a maximum of five members; however, an exception may be applied if deemed necessary.

The WADA Director General, following consultation with the Senior Associate Director of Science & Medicine (Laboratories) and the Chair of the WADA Lab EAG will appoint members to the GD WG.

Members are selected on the basis of their relevant background and experience (e.g., expertise in the areas of GD method development, validation and application to anti-doping analysis).

The Membership of the GD WG is published on the WADA website.

If required, additional experts may be called upon on an ad-hoc basis for their contributions.

Member terms2 reflect the current mandate of the GD WG, i.e., until 30 September 2026. If the work of the GD WG is not completed within the originally planned timeframe, and is extended, the composition and terms of members are reviewed to ensure their relevance remains.

Chair/Rapporteur

The GD WG Chair3 is selected based on their proven record and expertise in the areas of GD method development, validation and application to anti-doping analysis. When possible, the Chair will be also a member of the Gene Doping Expert Advisory Group (GD EAG).

The GD WG Chair shall act as the official r eporter who is responsible for ensuring appropriate coordination with WADA Management and the Lab EAG for providing accurate and timely information on all relevant issues.

WADA Liaison

The GD WG Chair shall act as the official r eporter who is responsible for ensuring appropriate coordination with WADA Management and the Lab EAG for providing accurate and timely information on all relevant issues.

WADA Liaison

The WADA Science & Medicine Department, and in particular the Senior Associate Director of Science & Medicine (Laboratories), will serve as the primary liaison between WADA and the GD WG.

The Senior Associate Director of Science & Medicine (Laboratories) will be an observer4 to the GD WG in the sense that he contributes to and brings expertise to support the work of the GD WG but does not have a voting position. Additional WADA Science Department staff may also participate in GD WG meetings as WADA experts on particular subject matters and to provide general support to the group where required.

2 Should the member come from a WADA-accredited laboratory whose accreditation is revoked during their term, the member’s term on the GD WG will cease immediately. If the Laboratory is suspended or under an Analytical Testing Restriction, subject to WADA’s discretion, the member may continue on the WG. 3 There are occasions where WADA staff may chair a WG, e.g. when an external chair is not deemed to be practical. 4 Unless they are appointed as the Chair of the WG.WADA GD WG ToR – January 2026 3 / 4

Meetings and Working Norms

The GD WG will virtually via video or teleconference (as determined by WADA ) as many times as is necessary to complete its mandate.

The GD WG normally operates based on consensus and maintains as informal a manner as is possible or appropriate for the conduct of business. Consensus will be sought whenever possible. In the event of divergence of opinion or disagreement concerning recommendations, the absolute majority (determined by vote by hand) will rule. In the event of a tie, the Chair has the casting vote. There is presently no formal practice concerning a quorum. The Chair has the responsibility

In the event of divergence of opinion or disagreement concerning recommendations, the absolute majority (determined by vote by hand) will rule. In the event of a tie, the Chair has the casting vote. There is presently no formal practice concerning a quorum. The Chair has the responsibility to determine if a quorum is present. Meeting notes will record any dissenting opinion on request.

The Chair may limit discussion of resurfacing issues by referring to previous recommendations or conclusions of previous discussions.

Meeting notes of the GD WG meetings, reports and correspondence relative to the group’s work shall be retained at the WADA Headquarters.

Code of Ethics, Conflict of Interest, Confidentiality and Media

Upon their appointment and again annually, all GD WG members are required to sign a document pursuant to which they undertake (i) to comply with the Code of Ethics adopted by the WADA Foundation Board (as amended from time to time); (ii) to comply with the Conflict of Interest policy adopted by the Foundation Board (as amended from time to time); (iii) to keep all matters related to WADA confidential; and (iv) to comply with the WADA Media Relations Policy issued by the Agency (as amended from time to time).

A) Code of Ethics The purpose of the WADA Code of Ethics is to establish clear ethical standards over the activities of WADA’s Officials (as defined in Section 2 of the Code of Ethics) to allow WADA to achieve its mission and protect its core values. WADA and all its Officials undertake to foster a culture of ethics, loyalty, and integrity within their respective areas of competence. B) Conflict of Interest

GD WG members will be bound by the WADA Conflict-of-Interest policy. They will be required to annually complete and sign a Statement of Absence of Conflict of Interest in accordance with the policy, and to update such statement if and as necessary during the year.

C) Confidentiality

All GD WG members are required to sign a Confidentiality Declaration upon appointment (and again annually). This ensures all members reflect on the confidential nature of their WADA work

policy, and to update such statement if and as necessary during the year.

C) Confidentiality

All GD WG members are required to sign a Confidentiality Declaration upon appointment (and again annually). This ensures all members reflect on the confidential nature of their WADA work and confirm their adherence to such confidentiality rules.

D) Communications and MediaWADA GD WG ToR – January 2026 4 / 4

All GD WG members must read and comply with WADA’s Media Relations policy . If a member should receive a request for an interview in relation to their role in WADA or WADA’s work in the fight against doping in sport they should first consult with the WADA Head of Media Relations or (if absent), with the WADA Communications Director.

Budget and Financial Support

WADA has budgeted for the GD WG in 2026. Should an extension of the mandate be required, additional budget will need to be approved prior to final confirmation of the group continuing.

WADA shall provide the necessary administrative and operational resources for meetings. WADA will cover certain expenses and will compensate members for meetings in accordance with its applicable indemnity policy.

It is acknowledged that some experts go above and beyond, including providing extensive advice throughout the year, outside of annual meetings. WADA offers a further indemnity to experts for such work carried out. The specific indemnity details are outlined in the “Overview of WADA Working Groups” document provided to Members each year.

Effective Date

These ToR will come into effect on 1 January 2026.

These ToR are published on the WADA website.