The NHA Laboratory was informed that during 2025 it again achieved a 100% score in the international racing laboratory proficiency testing program of the Association of Official Racing Chemists (AORC).  Specimens were supplied with prohibited substances, and these had to be detected and correctly identified.  Since the inception of this external proficiency testing, we have achieved a 100% result for a total of 34 years. 

Our Laboratory was also again informed of a full 100% compliance when a range of our NHA local racing negative specimens from different racing centres correspondingly also tested negative at overseas racing laboratories this year.  The panel of the overseas laboratories that has retested NHA negative specimens may include IFHA Reference Laboratories. 

During July 2025, the NHA Laboratory was reaffirmed compliant with the general requirements of the ISO/IEC 17025 International Standard for testing and calibration laboratories, through an inspection by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS). Interpretation of some of the requirements of this international standard for horseracing laboratories are provided in the ILAC-G7 guidance document, Accreditation Requirements and Operating Criteria for Horseracing Laboratories. This guidance document has been in place since 1994, and the NHA Laboratory has been in continuous compliance with requirements of this document for more than 30 years. 

Vee Moodley

Chief Executive