Testing

SAIDS is committed to identifying and implementing the most effective and athlete-friendly solutions, methods, and technologies. InnoVero offers innovative and unmatched features that will improve the testing experience for athletes and enhance sample security.

InnoVero incorporates features designed to improve the overall user experience and provide unprecedented security. Some of the athlete-friendly features and security technologies are:

1. The Innovero “A” and “B” bottles are made from a proprietary polymer material, which is not only stronger and lighter than glass, but also contains tamper-evident and anti-counterfeit qualities to deliver state-of-the-art security.
2. The bottle openings are approximately three times larger than other test kits, making it much easier for athletes to distribute samples into the “A” and “B” bottles.
3. The bottles feature a trihexagonal shape intended to improve grip and usability.
4. The locking mechanism is entirely transparent and fully engages in just three clicks every time.
5. InnoVero features a partial sample vault and security tag to ensure the integrity of partial samples until the full sample is ready for processing.
6. InnoVero is a universal collection kit and can secure both urine and blood samples, eliminating the need for two different kits and improving the consistency of collections.
7. InnoVero equipment is the only sample collection equipment available that has been certified to the recently developed and published NSF International Protocol: NSF P490-2020 Drug Testing Sample Collection and Security Equipment. This protocol not only ensures compliance with the WADA ISTI, but establishes standards and testing protocols that objectively evaluate function, sample integrity, and performance. Athletes will soon see the below mark on InnoVero equipment and packaging, providing them confidence that the equipment meets the highest standards.

Athletes will experience InnoVero test kits every time they are tested by a SAIDS DCO when full implementation takes place after July 2021. InnoVero may also be used by other anti-doping organisations. However, athletes should be aware that they may continue to experience other World Anti-Doping Code compliant sample collection equipment during the testing procedure e.g. Lockcon, Berlinger, Versapak.

The sample collection process will generally remain the same and some processes will even be more streamlined e.g. the distribution of samples will be easier with a no-drip collection cup and larger sample bottle openings. Athletes will also only need to turn the lid three times to secure the “A” and “B” sample bottles.

The partial sample process is perhaps the most significant change athletes will experience. With InnoVero, athletes will quickly and securely store partial samples in a partial sample vault that is protected with a unique ID security tag and only accessible when athletes are ready to process a full sample.

Superior to glass, the proprietary polymer material that forms the InnoVero bottles is embedded with tamper-evident and anti-counterfeit technologies. The locking mechanism is also fully transparent and contained within the bottles once properly sealed, making the locking mechanism inaccessible. The only way samples can be accessed is through a special opening device provided only to World Anti-Doping Agency accredited laboratories.

In developing the test kits InnoVero engaged sport technology innovators and the stakeholders who are most familiar with anti-doping equipment, including athletes and laboratories, to help identify the most effective features, materials, and processes required for a secure sample collection solution. More than two years of research yielded tamper-evident and anti-counterfeit technologies, a resilient bottle material, and an inaccessible locking mechanism. The audible and visual components to the locking mechanism ensure athletes know that their sample is fully secure.

If you are tested in South Africa athletes will not have a choice of sample collection equipment. However, if you are tested in other regions of the world you may continue to utilise alternative sample collection solutions, such as Berlinger, Versapak and Lockcon. Athletes will be subject to the sample collection kit in use by SAIDS or other anti-doping organisation agencies at the time of their test.