WNBF drug testing policies and procedures are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code & Prohibited List for its anti-doping procedures and testing policies. This prohibited list and banned items and timeframes listed on this website are guides to determining athlete eligibility. 

IT IS THE ATHLETES RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK AND ABIDE BY THESE LISTS AT ALL TIMES!

The backbone of our reputation is the strict adherence to stringent drug testing. We place the highest importance on ensuring that athletes are drug-free so as to ensure fair competition at each and every event. The WNBF are proud to announce that we have over 40,000 urine test results on file since 1989.

The use of drugs is strictly prohibited

All WNBF athletes must be a minimum of 10 years drug-free from all Anabolic Androgenic Agents, Peptides, HGH, Growth Hormones, and prescription/pharmaceutical hormones on the banned substance list. Minimum of two years free of over-the-counter hormones, pro-hormones, or banned substances listed or their chemical counterparts, unless otherwise noted, prior to their first WNBF competition. There may be different ban timeframes with select agents in a paticular class. Please read the entire banned substance list!

NOTICE: As of January 2022, urine or polygraph drug test failures for anabolic-androgenic steroids, growth hormones, peptides, SARM's products, and use of other oral or injectable PEDs will incur a lifetime ban from WNBF membership privileges.

Members should be mindful that some supplements may contain prohibited substances. Not all supplements are made with natural bodybuilders in mind. Athletes are responsible for any supplements/substances consumed. If you are unsure about the classification of any substances/compounds present in a supplement please consult the WADA code, reference against GLOBAL DRO, or contact the UK Anti-Doping Agency. Do not take any supplements or substances from a coach or friend, without first ensuring it is safe to do so. Ignorance is not considered a viable excuse under the WADA code.

1. Drug Testing Overview

By purchasing a WNBF UK membership, athletes consent to urine drug testing at events and/or randomly in and out of season.

Athletes competing at WNBF UK events are subject to drug testing through biological sampling, which may include urinalysis, blood testing, or hair sampling. Pro Card winners and athletes competing at the UK Open International Championships or Supernaturals will also be required to undergo polygraph testing.

Urinalysis (undertaken on show day at every event)  is covered by WNBF UK and the athlete's WNBF UK membership fee. A portion of that fee goes directly towards testing costs. To give you an understanding. Individual Urine full panel testing costs the WNBF UK between £170–£200 per athlete.

Polygraph testing (undertaken only at WNBF UK SuperNaturals in the days prior to contest) fees (typically £70–£90) are paid directly to the WNBF UK sanctioned independent polygraph examiners on the day of your test.

Urine Testing will be conducted as follows:

Targeted — top 3–5 class winners
Random — up to 50% of competitors at any event

Regional events (e.g. First Timers Novice) — a higher percentage of athletes will be tested via urinalysis

National/International events (e.g. SuperNaturals) — all athletes will be polygraphed without exception; urinalysis will be carried out on all top 5 placing athletes

Failure or refusal to submit to any drug test will be treated as a failed test.

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2. Chain of Custody & Biological Sample Handling

All biological samples are handled under a strict chain of custody protocol from the point of collection at WNBF UK events through to receipt at a WADA-accredited laboratory, ensuring the integrity, security, and traceability of every sample.

Chain of custody copies are provided to:

1. WNBF UK —  We retain in federation records
2. The athlete — copy provided on the day of testing
3. The laboratory — retained for their records

This ensures transparency, due process, and the athlete's right to independent review.

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3. Polygraph Documentation

All athletes who undergo a WNBF UK polygraph examination will receive formal documentation on the day of testing, consisting of:

1. Polygraph Examination Report — issued and signed by the independent examiner, including:
- Athlete's name and/or competition number
- Date, time, and location of the examination
- Examiner's name, credentials, and certification/licence number
- Purpose of the exam (e.g. "WNBF UK Anti-Doping Compliance")
- Summary of questions asked
- Test outcome where applicable (Fail or Inconclusive)
- Examiner's confirmation that the test was conducted to professional standards

2. Signed Consent and Pre-Test Form — confirming the athlete understood the purpose, process, and consequences of the test, including any required health declaration

3. Federation Confirmation — acknowledgement from WNBF UK confirming the athlete has completed the required polygraph for event eligibility; a copy is retained by WNBF UK

Athletes who receive a Fail or Inconclusive result may request their polygraph chart recordings and scoring sheets directly from the examiner, subject to the examiner's data policy.

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4. Refusal to Test

Athletes who refuse to make themselves available for drug testing — whether in-season or out-of-season, by polygraph or biological sampling — will be suspended from all WNBF UK events until the required test has been completed and passed.

All members are subject to both in season and out of season testing. Non-active members are subject to out-of -season testing for 2 years from the date of joining the WNBF UK. Athletes must make themselves available for out-of-seasoning testing when requested. Athletes will submit to testing at an agreed upon location within 20 miles of the athlete’s residence/gymnasium. Failure to submit to out-of-season testing by either polygraph, or biological sampling (urinalysis/blood/hair sampling), will be treated as a drug test failure.

The WNBF UK may request an athlete report for multiple tests over the course of a season to create a biological passport. Athletes nominated to participate in a biological passport programme, must make themselves available for all tests at times specified by the drug control officer.

Polygraph Failures

Any athlete who fails to pass a polygraph test will be suspended from WNBF UK events until they subsequently pass a polygraph examination at a time and place specified by the event promoter.

Urine Test failures

Any athlete who fails a biological drug test will be issued the appropriate ban following analysis of their results by WNBF UK.

Athletes who refuse to make themselves available for drug testing — either in-season or out-of-season, by polygraph or biological sampling — will be suspended from WNBF UK events.

Process for Notifying an Athlete of Positive Findings:
1- All independent event lab results are reviewed by our officials in consultation with staff from our WADA-accredited laboratory.
2- If a positive result is identified, the athlete is notified and provided with all relevant documentation — including laboratory reports and chain of custody records.
3- A video call is scheduled with the athlete to explain and discuss the findings in detail.
4- If the athlete is deemed to have violated the anti-doping policy, we will issue their ban and may formally notify other natural federations.
5- Public announcements (if required) are only made after the athlete has been informed of this intention and all documentation has been issued to them.

Athlete Right to Drug Test Documentation

Legitimate anti-doping practices, athletes have the right to receive their full laboratory report for any drug test conducted on them.

How it works in proper protocol (including WADA-aligned procedures):
* Full disclosure – The athlete should receive the Analytical Results Report from the accredited laboratory, which includes:
* The date of sample collection.
* The chain of custody record.
* The list of substances tested for and the methods used.
* The specific findings (including concentration levels if applicable).
* Right to explanation – The athlete should also be given the opportunity to have the report explained to them by a qualified anti-doping official so they understand what was found and why it is (or isn’t) a violation.
* Transparency and fairness – Providing the full report is part of ensuring due process, allowing the athlete to seek independent expert review or prepare an appeal if they dispute the findings.

If an organisation withholds the lab report and only gives a “summary” or “positive/negative” statement, that’s not best practice and could breach fair process principles.

Our Contract with You

All athletes who test under WNBF UK’s anti-doping program can request WNBF UK to provide a copy of their full laboratory report, including the analytical findings, chain of custody record, and all supporting documentation. This documentation will be issued promptly after the results are reviewed by WNBF UK officials, ensuring transparency, due process, and the athlete’s right to independent review at their own cost.

If you are currently using any medication which means you are in violation of the WADA code (insulin for example), you must contact the WNBF UK and apply for a TUE. If applying for a TUE you must provide a doctor’s note as evidence of the medications therapeutic use. All TUEs are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and whenever possible aims to take a common-sense approach to TUEs. Failure to apply for a TUE may result in a violation of the WNBF UK rules.

Members found to be trafficking, and/or prescribing PIEDs will be suspended from the WNBF UK. Any member found to be using PIEDS who is suspended will be considered a banned associate hereafter, any coaches working with athletes who are subsequently suspended will also be considered banned associates. WNBF UK Members should not work with banned associates.