The Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe lays down binding rules on the 47 Member States of the Council of Europe and 5 other States (Australia, Belarus, Canada, Morocco, and Tunisia) with a view to harmonise anti-doping regulations and to promote the important role of sport in moral and physical education as well as in international understanding. The Anti-Doping Convention was drafted in 1989 to safeguard the positive effects of sports on society and protect sportsmen and sportswomen from the dangers of doping.
The Monitoring Group of the Convention surveys its application, examines any necessary modifications, holds consultations with any necessary stakeholders, recommends the appropriate measures to keep relevant organisations and the public informed about the activities undertaken within its framework and makes any proposal to improve its effectiveness. The Group also approves the list of pharmacological classes of doping agents and doping methods and the criteria for the accreditation of laboratories.
The ITA was granted observer status with the Monitoring Group of the Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe in 2021. The observer status for the Monitoring Group is granted to non-European countries, but also to independent non-governmental bodies, such as the International Testing Agency. The ITA is part of a group of other international organisations that also contribute to the implementation and further development of the Convention, such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
