The 2025 WADA List of Prohibited Substances: What You Need to Know

18 March 2025

Last September, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) published the 2025 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, the international standard for banned substances and their related compounds in sports. Having gone into effect on 1 January, we wanted to take a moment to point out a few notable additions to this year's list.

Along with the fully updated list, WADA also released their 2025 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, which focuses specifically on the changes between the 2024 and 2025 lists. Among the list of Major Modifications for 2025 is that guanfacine has been clarified not to be a prohibited substance. For the full list of modifications, click here.

The WADA List of Prohibited Substances and Methods includes a wide range of substances and methods prohibited in competition. These include several categories, such as anabolic agents, hormones and related substances, stimulants, narcotics, and cannabinoids, among others. Additionally, some methods are prohibited, such as blood doping and gene doping. All of these are intended to prevent athletes from gaining an unfair advantage by using substances that would improve their performance.

For a substance or method to be added to the List, it must meet at least two of the following three criteria:

1. It has the potential to enhance sports performance.
2. It represents an actual or potential health risk to the athlete.
3. It violates the spirit of sport.

For athletes who require a prohibited substance or method but have a legitimate medical reason, they can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to meet the criteria outlined in the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE).

How Does Informed Manufacturer Help?

To help sports supplement brands stay compliant with the WADA List, Informed Manufacturer certification offers a reliable solution. Informed Manufacturer is a banned substance testing programme for sports supplement manufacturing sites. The manufacturing site of a certified manufacturer is subjected to a rigorous manufacturing certification process to ensure the manufacturing site does not have any cross-contamination issues prohibited substances.

Download Our Certification Process Guide

Informed Manufacturer testing is performed using validated analytical methods, providing trustworthy results that adhere to international scientific standards. This certification gives sports supplement brands the confidence to know that the manufacturing site they use has been tested, reviewed, and approved by a third-party testing service.

As the WADA List of Prohibited Substances and Methods continuously evolves, it is more important than ever to stay informed. By understanding what is prohibited and the criteria for inclusion, sports supplement brands can work to ensure they remain compliant. The Informed Manufacturer certification offers a reliable solution for both, guaranteeing that manufacturing sites have gone through a rigorous testing process. Remember, Informed Manufacturer certification does not test final products, so athletes must be responsible and always thoroughly research any supplements or substances they plan to use to avoid any adverse health effects or doping violations.