PRESS RELEASE

ITA ETHICS PANEL CONVENES FOR INAUGURAL MEETING TO ADVANCE ETHICAL GOVERNANCE

The International Testing Agency (ITA) is pleased to announce the successful first meeting of its newly appointed Ethics Panel, held on March 13, 2025. As part of its strategic plan 2023-2026 and governance enhancements, the ITA adopted the ITA Code of Ethics in January 2024 and, later in the year, established the Ethics Panel to oversee its application. The panel was officially appointed by the ITA Foundation Board in late 2024, marking a significant step in ITA’s ongoing commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct in its activities.

This announcement follows ITA’s recognition in 2024 with the prestigious NAVEX Excellence in Ethics and Compliance Award, which honours organisations for their exceptional commitment to corporate governance, risk mitigation, and ethical practices. This award underscores ITA’s dedication to ethical governance and responsible management.

The ITA Ethics Panel is an operationally independent body tasked with adjudicating violations of the ITA Code of Ethics. The panel, consisting of a Chair and three members, brings together solid legal, sports law, and ethics expertise to ensure fair and impartial decision-making, and is composed as follows:

• Prof. Margareta Baddeley (SUI/UK) – Chair
• Ms. Angela Peco (CAN) – Member
• Mr. Ennio Bovolenta (ITA) – Member
• Mr. Darren Kane (AUS) – Member

The inaugural meeting provided an opportunity for the Ethics Panel members to engage in constructive discussions on the implementation of the ITA Code of Ethics, reporting mechanisms, and the management of operational non-conformities by the ITA administration in line with the ITA Code of Ethics. The collaborative spirit of the discussions set a strong foundation for the panel’s future work in promoting accountability and transparency via the adjudication of violations.

Under the ITA Code of Ethics, the Ethics Panel has the authority to adjudicate cases involving serious ethical breaches, particularly those that cannot be resolved through contractual, regulatory or administrative measures by other ITA bodies. As stipulated in the ITA Code of Ethics, the panel may also initiate proceedings independently (ex officio) when circumstances warrant such intervention to safeguard ethical compliance.

"The establishment of the Ethics Panel demonstrates the ITA’s firm commitment to fostering a robust ethical framework," said Dr. Valérie Fourneyron, Chair of the ITA Foundation Board. "We are confident that the panel will provide valuable independent oversight, contributing to the integrity of our operations."

Prof. Margareta Baddeley, Chair of the Ethics Panel, also commented, "I am honoured to lead this panel of distinguished experts and to contribute to the ITA’s commitment to ethical governance. As an independent body, we shall ensure that matters referred to us are handled with fairness, impartiality, and diligence, in alignment with the ITA Code of Ethics”.

The ITA remains steadfast in its mission to uphold clean sport through independent and transparent governance. The Ethics Panel’s insights and expertise will further enhance the organisation’s compliance framework and ethical decision-making processes.

The next meeting of the Ethics Panel is scheduled to take place later this year. The ITA looks forward to its collaboration with the panel.