Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

(Ottawa, Ontario – March 13, 2018) – The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) acknowledges the March 9 media release published by Berlinger Special AG to announce its withdrawal from the doping kit business. The CCES would like to assure the Canadian sport community that we have an existing supply of doping control equipment that is free from integrity concerns and will prevent any gaps in our ongoing testing commitments. We are working with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO) to seek an approved alternate equipment provider, and have already commenced discussions with one such company.

Citing concerns around “increasingly institutionalized forms of doping malpractice,” Berlinger Special AG announced Friday that it was withdrawing from the doping kit business. Because the Switzerland-based company is one of the main suppliers internationally for tamper-evident urine and blood collection kits, Berlinger has pledged to help its existing customers avoid a supply gap in the coming months during their transition to a new supplier. Berlinger has long been a trusted partner in the global anti-doping effort, and this decision will not have come easily. The CCES offers its thanks and well wishes to management and staff.

“The CCES is committed to offering an anti-doping program for Canadian athletes that is compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards,” said Jeremy Luke, Senior Director of Sport Integrity. “We will ensure the transition to new Code-compliant equipment is as smooth as possible, backed by further advisory notes, comprehensive doping control officer training and athlete education.”

As the majority of testing organizations around the world are in the same situation, Canadian athletes that compete abroad should be aware that they may begin to see new types of Code-compliant sample collection equipment at the doping control station in the coming months. The CCES advises athletes who encounter new types of equipment to not refuse to take the test and to document any concerns on the doping control form.

About the CCES

The CCES is an independent, national, not-for profit organization with a responsibility to administer the Canadian Anti-Doping Program. We recognize that true sport can make a great difference for individuals, communities and our country. The CCES acknowledges funding, in part, from the Government of Canada. We are committed to working collaboratively to activate a values-based and principle-driven sport system; protecting the integrity of sport from the negative forces of doping and other unethical threats; and advocating for sport that is fair, safe and open to everyone.