The IRF, which has Global Association of International Sports Federations observer status, published a letter from WADA director general Olivier Niggli in which he congratulated the organisation on an "important step in the fight against doping in sport".

It started an anti-doping programme in 2009 and claims anti-doping tests have been carried out at its major international events since 2011.

Code-compliant doping tests have been mandatory at the IRF's World Championship-level events since 2014.

"We are overjoyed at having been accepted by WADA as a Code Signatory," Jones said.

"This important accomplishment comes after many years of carefully structuring the IRF Anti-Doping programme to align with WADA signatory criteria. 

"We greatly appreciate WADA’s recognition, and the trust they have placed in us to continue to lead our sport by offering rafting athletes the assurance of competing in fair events."

The IRF has not been able to stage its flagship World Rafting Championships since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ziyuan in China was the 2020 host but the event was delayed until 2021 because of the global health crisis.

And with China's borders remaining largely shut, it is now not scheduled to stage the World Rafting Championships until 2022.