• The Prohibited List (List) was first published in 1963 under the leadership of the International Olympic Committee. Since 2004, as mandated by the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), WADA is responsible for the preparation and publication of the List.
• The List is a cornerstone of the Code and a key component of harmonization.
• It is an International Standard identifying substances and methods prohibited in-competition, out-of-competition and in particular sports.
• Substances and methods are classified by categories (e.g., steroids, stimulants, gene doping).
• The use of any prohibited substance by an athlete for medical reasons is possible by virtue of a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

• Guidelines for the annual review and consequent publication of the List are outlined in the Code.
• WADA's role is one of facilitator of the consultation process.
• The agreed process for the annual consideration of the List includes three meetings (see timeline below) of WADA's List Expert Group with a draft discussion List being published and circulated for consultation in June, following the second meeting.*
• At its third meeting in September, the List Expert Group, following consideration of the submissions received from the consultation process, recommends the new List to the Health, Medical and Research Committee which in turn makes recommendations to WADA's Executive Committee.
• The Executive Committee finalizes the List at its September meeting.
• The updated List is published by October 1 and comes into effect on January 1 the following year.

• The List Expert Group is a panel of scientists chosen for their international expertise.
• It is a subgroup of WADA's Health, Medical and Research Committee.
• The List Expert Group meets three times each year.
• The List Expert Group makes recommendations on the contents and revisions to the Prohibited List.

January/February
First meeting of the List Expert Group to define new and key areas of activities and allocate tasks. 
 
April
Second meeting of the List Expert Group to prepare the Draft List.
 
June - July
Draft List circulated to stakeholders (government and sport movement) for consultation and comment.
 
August
Stakeholder comments received;
Integration of relevant comments into the Draft List;
Draft List circulated to List Committee.
 
September
Third meeting of the List Expert Group to review comments and Draft List;
Draft List circulated to the WADA Health, Medical and Research Committee for discussion and final recommendation;
Circulation of the List to the WADA Executive Committee for discussion and approval.
 
October
Publication of the updated List which comes into effect on January 1 the following year.
 
January
The updated List comes into effect on January 1.