THL’s doping testing laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has confirmed that the Helsinki Doping Control Laboratory, which operates at THL, has been accredited, i.e. found competent for anti-doping testing. The laboratory can immediately begin its anti-doping analysing activities. Approximately 4,000 anti-doping analyses are conducted annually in Finland.
Doping analytics complements THL's legal toxicological expert activities, such as drug-related sample analytics.
"Finland has a long history of doping analytics. It has been done here since the 80’s, so it is great that expertise in this field remains in Finland", says Tina Suominen, Head of the Helsinki Doping Control Laboratory at THL.
Previously, the Finnish anti-doping analyses were carried out by Yhtyneet Medix Laboratoriot Oy, currently known as Synlab Suomi. The doping testing laboratory was transferred to THL at the beginning of 2020. During the transfer, all doping analytics activities were put on hold.
"The transfer of the laboratory went very well. It was an arduous process to transfer the laboratory to a different organisation and get it re-accredited during a pandemic", Suominen says.
The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for promoting and supporting anti-doping activities in Finland and for intergovernmental anti-doping cooperation in accordance with international anti-doping conventions.
According to Minister of Science and Culture Annika Saarikko, the WADA decision is very welcome.
"I consider the preservation of doping testing laboratory activities in Finland to be important in terms of sports politics. Laboratory activities complement Finland's strong anti-doping expertise, and this is also an important decision in terms of international competitions held in Finland", Minister Saarikko says.
Further information:
THL’s doping testing laboratory
Tina Suominen
Head of the Helsinki Doping Control Laboratory
THL
Tel. +358 50 3073315
[email protected]
Anti-doping and ethical principles of sports
Tiina Kivisaari
Director
Ministry of Education and Culture
Tel. +358 295 330 178
[email protected]
