Accused of doping? We know the law – and we know the scene.
Have doping agents been seized from you? Have you received mail from customs or from the police? Are you facing criminal proceedings for violating the German Anti-Doping Act? BUNZEL Rechtsanwälte Strafverteidiger defend you throughout Germany in investigations involving anabolic steroids, growth hormones and other doping substances.
As a certified specialist attorney for criminal law with more than 10 years of specialization in doping criminal law, firm principal Dr. Maik Bunzel knows both the legal pitfalls and the scene – because he has been active in bodybuilding himself for more than 27 years.
Accused of a doping offense? Mail from customs or the police? A search of your home?
We defend clients throughout Germany in investigations into violations of the German Anti-Doping Act.
We defend you in cases of:
When you need us:
Self-doping is a criminal offense under Section 3(3) AntiDopG only in organized competition. Anyone who uses performance-enhancing substances outside such a competition is not automatically committing an offense. What matters, however, is this: it is usually not the use that lies at the center of an investigation, but the possession, the quantity and the origin of the substances.
What is often punishable is not the use but the possession of certain quantities. If you exceed the non-minor quantity ("nicht geringe Menge") defined in the German Doping Agent Quantities Ordinance (DmMV), you face a criminal investigation. That threshold is reached faster than most people believe. Personal use does not automatically protect you from criminal liability.
Many standard commercial pack sizes already exceed the permitted thresholds. What appears to be legally available may be relevant under criminal law. Pharmacy or mail-order packaging is based on medical dosing, not on criminal law.
For testosterone enanthate, for example, only three 1 ml ampoules of 250 mg each are still considered a permissible quantity. Yet packs of five or even ten are commonly sold. Simply possessing one such standard pack can exceed the threshold.
The situation is even more serious with tablets. Many preparations are only sold in packs of 100, 500 or 1,000 units of 50 mg each. The threshold under criminal law, however, can be as low as 150 mg. A handful of tablets is enough to trigger criminal liability.
You need legal assistance immediately if you receive mail from customs, after a search, when items are seized as an "incidental find", when you are accused of trafficking, or once a criminal investigation has been opened. An early defense strategy decides whether proceedings are dropped or charges are brought.
Do not make a statement now – talk to a defense lawyer first!
Attorney Dr. Maik Bunzel
Experience & expertise
- More than 1,000 days in trial
- Defense before local courts, regional courts, higher regional courts and the Federal Court of Justice in criminal matters
- Former judge at the Lichtenfels Local Court
- Practice at an international business law firm
Dr. Maik Bunzel has been active in bodybuilding himself for more than 27 years – as an athlete and as a competition judge.
We do not just know the law – we know the scene.
Relevant substances:
Ordinance on Threshold Quantities for the Definition of a Non-Minor Quantity of Doping Agents (Dopingmittel-Mengen-Verordnung – DmMV)
(Source: Federal Law Gazette / BGBl. 2023 I No. 67, pp. 5-10)
I. Anabolic Agents
1. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids
2. Other Anabolic Agents
II. Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics
1. Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents
2. Peptide Hormones and Their Releasing Factors
2.1. Chorionic Gonadotropin (CG) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Their Releasing Factors
2.2. Corticotropins
2.3. Growth Hormone (Analogs and Fragments), Releasing Factors and Releasing Peptides
2.4. Growth Hormone Releasing Factors
3. Growth Factors and Growth Factor Modulators
III. Hormone and Metabolic Modulators
1. Aromatase Inhibitors
2. Anti-Estrogenic Substances
3. Agents Modifying Myostatin Function(s)
4. Metabolic Modulators
⚠️IMPORTANT
The quantities stated refer to the active substance in pure form (without esters). Exceeding these quantities satisfies the statutory element of a non-minor quantity ("nicht geringe Menge"). The quantities of different doping agents are added together: three times 0.8 times the non-minor quantity of doping agents equals 2.4 times the non-minor quantity and is therefore punishable!
WORLD ANTI-DOPING CODE
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
PROHIBITED LIST 2026
Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt) 2025, Part II, No. 312, issued in Bonn on December 23, 2025
The List enters into force on January 1, 2026.
Non-Approved Substances
Prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition)
All prohibited substances in this class are Specified Substances.
Any pharmacologically active substance that is not addressed by any of the subsequent sections of the List and that has no current approval by any governmental regulatory health authority for human therapeutic use (for example drugs under pre-clinical or clinical development or drugs whose development has been discontinued, designer drugs, substances approved only for veterinary use) is prohibited at all times.
This class covers a wide range of substances, including, but not limited to, BPC-157, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), ryanodine receptor 1-calstabin complex stabilizers [for example S-107, S48168 (ARM210)] and troponin activators (for example reldesemtiv and tirasemtiv).
Anabolic Agents
Prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition)
All prohibited substances in this class are Non-Specified Substances.
S1.1. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) - When administered exogenously:
and other substances – including their esters – with a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect(s).
S1.2. Other Anabolic Agents
Including, but not limited to:
• Clenbuterol
• Osilodrostat
• Ractopamine
• Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs), for example Andarine, Enobosarm (Ostarine), LGD-4033 (Ligandrol), RAD140, S-23 and YK-11
• Zeranol
• Zilpaterol
Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics
Prohibited at all times
All prohibited substances in this class are Non-Specified Substances.
S2.1. Erythropoietins (EPO) and Agents Affecting Erythropoiesis
S2.1.1 Erythropoietin Receptor Agonists:
• Darbepoetins (dEPO)
• Erythropoietins (EPO)
• EPO-based constructs [EPO-Fc; Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (CERA)]
• EPO-mimetic agents and their constructs (CNTO-530, Peginesatide, Pegmolesatide)
S2.1.2 Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF) Activators:
Cobalt, Daprodustat (GSK1278863), IOX2, Molidustat (BAY 85-3934), Roxadustat (FG-4592), Vadadustat (AKB-6548), Xenon
S2.1.3 GATA Inhibitors:
K-11706
S2.1.4 Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) Signaling Inhibitors:
Luspatercept, Sotatercept
S2.1.5 Innate Repair Receptor Agonists:
Asialo-EPO, carbamylated EPO (CEPO)
S2.2. Peptide Hormones and Their Releasing Factors
S2.2.1 Testosterone-stimulating peptides in males:
• Chorionic Gonadotrophin (CG)
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
• Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (GnRH, Gonadorelin) and its agonist analogues (Buserelin, Deslorelin, Goserelin, Histrelin, Leuprorelin, Nafarelin, Triptorelin)
• Kisspeptin and its agonist analogues
S2.2.2 Corticotrophins and their releasing factors:
Corticorelin, Tetracosactide
S2.2.3 Growth Hormone (GH), its analogues and fragments:
• Growth hormone analogues: Lonapegsomatropin, Somapacitan, Somatrogon
• Growth hormone fragments: AOD-9604, hGH 176-191
S2.2.4 Growth Hormone Releasing Factors:
• Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and its analogues (CJC-1293, CJC-1295, Sermorelin, Tesamorelin)
• Growth Hormone Secretagogues (GHS) and their mimetics [Anamorelin, Capromorelin, Ibutamoren (MK-677), Ipamorelin, Lenomorelin (Ghrelin), Macimorelin, Tabimorelin]
• Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRPs) [Alexamorelin, Examorelin (Hexarelin), GHRP-1, GHRP-2 (Pralmorelin), GHRP-3, GHRP-4, GHRP-5, GHRP-6]
S2.3. Growth Factors and Growth Factor Modulators
• Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs)
• Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)
• Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1, Mecasermin) and its analogues
• Mechano Growth Factors (MGFs)
• Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
• Thymosin beta-4 and its derivatives (TB-500)
• Vascular-Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
Beta-2 Agonists
Prohibited at all times
All prohibited substances in this class are Specified Substances.
All selective and non-selective beta-2 agonists, including all optical isomers, are prohibited.
Exceptions (inhaled):
- • Salbutamol: max. 1,600 µg/24h (divided into individual doses of max. 600 µg/8h)
- • Formoterol: max. 54 µg/24h (divided into individual doses of max. 36 µg/12h)
- • Salmeterol: max. 200 µg/24h (divided into individual doses of max. 100 µg/8h)
- • Vilanterol: max. 25 µg/24h
Note: A salbutamol concentration in urine > 1,000 ng/ml or a formoterol concentration > 40 ng/ml is considered an AAF (Adverse Analytical Finding).
Hormone and Metabolic Modulators
Prohibited at all times
S4.1 and S4.2 are Specified Substances. S4.3 and S4.4 are Non-Specified Substances.
S4.1. Aromatase Inhibitors
S4.2. Anti-Estrogenic Substances (SERMs)
S4.3. Agents Preventing Activin Receptor IIB Activation
• Activin A-neutralizing antibodies
• Activin receptor IIB competitors (decoy activin receptors such as ACE-031)
• Anti-activin receptor IIB antibodies (Bimagrumab)
• Myostatin inhibitors:
– Agents that reduce myostatin expression
– Myostatin-binding proteins (Follistatin, Myostatin propeptide)
– Myostatin-neutralizing antibodies (Apitegromab, Domagrozumab, Landogrozumab, Stamulumab)
S4.4. Metabolic Modulators
S4.4.1 Activators of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK):
N5,N6-Bis(2-fluorophenyl)[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-b]pyrazine-5,6-diamine (BAM15), AICAR, mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c (MOTS-c)
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor delta (PPARδ) agonists: GW1516, GW501516
Rev-Erb alpha agonists: SR9009, SR9011
S4.4.2 Insulins and insulin-mimetics:
S519, S597
S4.4.3 Meldonium
S4.4.4 Trimetazidine
Diuretics and Masking Agents
Prohibited at all times
All prohibited substances in this class are Specified Substances.
All diuretics and masking agents, including all optical isomers, are prohibited.
Diuretics:
Acetazolamide, Amiloride, Bumetanide, Canrenone, Chlortalidone, Etacrynic acid, Furosemide, Indapamide, Metolazone, Spironolactone, Thiazides (Bendroflumethiazide, Chlorothiazide, Hydrochlorothiazide), Torasemide, Triamterene, Xipamide
Vaptans:
Conivaptan, Mozavaptan, Tolvaptan
Intravenously administered plasma expanders:
Albumin, Dextran, Hydroxyethyl starch, Mannitol
Others:
Desmopressin, Probenecid
Exceptions:
Drospirenone, Pamabrom, topical ophthalmic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (Dorzolamide, Brinzolamide), local administration of Felypressin
Prohibited Methods
Prohibited at all times
All prohibited methods in this class are Non-Specified Methods, except M2.2 (a Specified Method).
M1. Manipulation of Blood and Blood Components
- M1.1 Administration or reintroduction of any quantity of autologous, allogenic or heterologous blood or red blood cell products. Withdrawal of blood (except for analytical purposes or blood donation).
- M1.2 Artificially enhancing the uptake, transport or delivery of oxygen (perfluorochemicals, Efaproxiral/RSR13, Voxelotor, hemoglobin products)
- M1.3 Intravascular manipulation of blood or blood components by physical or chemical means
- M1.4 Use of rebreathing systems or carbon monoxide equipment (except as a diagnostic procedure)
M2. Chemical and Physical Manipulation
- M2.1 Tampering with the integrity of samples (substitution, adulteration, proteases)
- M2.2 Intravenous infusions/injections of more than 100 ml within a 12-hour period (Specified Method) – Exceptions: hospital treatments, surgical procedures, clinical investigations
M3. Gene and Cell Doping
- M3.1 The use of nucleic acids or nucleic acid analogues (gene editing, gene silencing, gene transfer)
- M3.2 The use of normal or genetically modified cells or cell components
Stimulants
Prohibited in-competition
Substances of Abuse: Cocaine, MDMA ("Ecstasy")
S6.A: Non-Specified Stimulants
S6.B: Specified Stimulants (selection)
** Cathine: prohibited when its concentration in urine is > 5 µg/ml
*** Ephedrine and Methylephedrine: prohibited when the concentration is > 10 µg/ml
**** Epinephrine: not prohibited when locally administered or administered with a local anesthetic
***** Pseudoephedrine: prohibited when the concentration is > 150 µg/ml
Exceptions:
Clonidine, Guanfacine, imidazoline derivatives (topical), 2026 Monitoring Program: Bupropion, Caffeine, Nicotine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, Pipradrol, Synephrine
Narcotics
Prohibited in-competition
Substance of Abuse: Diamorphine (heroin)
All prohibited substances in this class are Specified Substances.
Cannabinoids
Prohibited in-competition
Substance of Abuse: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
All prohibited substances in this class are Specified Substances.
All natural and synthetic cannabinoids are prohibited:
- • in cannabis (hashish, marijuana) and cannabis products
- • natural and synthetic tetrahydrocannabinols (THCs)
- • synthetic cannabinoids that mimic the effects of THC
Exception: Cannabidiol (CBD)
Glucocorticoids
Prohibited in-competition
All prohibited substances in this class are Specified Substances.
All glucocorticoids are prohibited when administered by any injectable, oral (including oromucosal: buccal, gingival, sublingual) or rectal route.
Not prohibited:
Other routes of administration (inhaled, topical: dental-intracanal, dermal, intranasal, ophthalmic, auricular, perianal) within the recommended doses
Beta-Blockers
Prohibited in particular sports
All prohibited substances in this class are Specified Substances.
Beta-blockers are prohibited in-competition only in the following sports; where indicated (*), they are also prohibited out-of-competition:
- • Billiards (all disciplines) (WCBS)
- • Archery (WA)*
- • Darts (WDF)
- • Golf (IGF)
- • Minigolf (WMF)
- • Automobile (FIA)
- • Shooting (ISSF, IPC)*
- • Underwater sports (CMAS)* – free diving, spearfishing, target shooting
Important note: This is the complete WADA Prohibited List 2026 with all substances. The official WADA List is authoritative. If you have legal questions or are facing doping allegations, contact us for a personalized consultation.
What will this cost me?
We will find a transparent solution for your individual case:
Legal expenses insurance
Policies such as Strafrecht Spezial, extended criminal legal protection or premium criminal legal protection cover the cost of the entire criminal proceedings in many cases. This typically includes the investigation, the main hearing before the competent court and appeals on both fact and law.
Depending on the terms of the policy, necessary defense investigations of our own may also be financed, such as private expert opinions or the engagement of external specialists. High-end policies may additionally cover the cost of complex and expensive expert reports and, under certain circumstances, even bail.
We will handle the coverage request with your insurer for you.
Why BUNZEL Rechtsanwälte Strafverteidiger?
Specialists in doping criminal law
Certified specialist attorney for criminal law focusing on the German Anti-Doping Act, the AMG and sports-related criminal investigations, with more than 10 years of experience.
Avoiding court hearings
In court throughout Germany where necessary, but always with the aim of avoiding court proceedings altogether through effective defense at the investigation stage.
1,000+ days in trial
Extensive trial experience in doping cases before local, regional and higher regional courts across Germany, as well as before the Federal Court of Justice in criminal matters.
We understand athletes and the scene
First-hand competition experience makes realistic defense strategies possible for competitive and recreational athletes alike.
Strategic high-level defense
Defense in complex criminal proceedings throughout Germany – including appeals on points of law before the Federal Court of Justice where necessary.
24/7 immediate help during a search
Immediate legal support during a search of your home, a seizure or an arrest.
Get in touch now!
Important: Do not make any statement to customs, the police or the public prosecutor without a defense lawyer!
Contact form
Arrange your initial consultation now!
If you are accused of violating the German Anti-Doping Act, do not lose any time!
Contact us now – discreetly, quickly and throughout Germany.
Legal Notice
Provider information pursuant to Section 5 DDG (German Digital Services Act):
Dr. Maik Bunzel, Attorney-at-Law
Wehrpromenade 9
03042 Cottbus
Germany
Branch office pursuant to Section 27(2) BRAO (German Federal Lawyers' Act)
Niebuhrstraße 71
10629 Berlin
Branch office pursuant to Section 27(2) BRAO (German Federal Lawyers' Act)
Kaistraße 90
24114 Kiel
Contact:
Phone: +49 (0)355 49 49 45 50
Fax: +49 (0)355 49 49 45 51
Email: info@kanzlei-bunzel.de
Website: kanzlei-bunzel.de
VAT ID No.: DE300989176
Professional title:
Dr. Maik Bunzel is admitted to the bar under the law of the Federal Republic of Germany and is entitled to use the professional title "Rechtsanwalt" (attorney-at-law).
Competent bar association:
Rechtsanwaltskammer des Landes Brandenburg (Bar Association of the State of Brandenburg)
Grillendamm 2
14776 Brandenburg an der Havel
Phone: 03381 25 33 0
Fax: 03381 25 33 23
Email: info@rak-brb.de
Website: rak-brb.de
Competent consumer dispute resolution body:
For pecuniary disputes arising out of the attorney-client relationship, the competent body is the Schlichtungsstelle der Rechtsanwaltschaft (Conciliation Body of the German Bar), Neue Grünstraße 17, 10179 Berlin, www.s-d-r.org. Dr. Maik Bunzel is generally prepared to participate in dispute resolution proceedings.
Professional liability insurance:
Pursuant to Section 51 BRAO, attorneys are required to maintain professional liability insurance with minimum coverage of EUR 250,000. Dr. Maik Bunzel maintains professional liability insurance coverage in the amount of EUR 1 million. No claim has ever been made under this insurance.
Professional regulations:
The governing regulations (BRAO, BORA [German Code of Professional Conduct for Lawyers], FAO [German Regulations for Specialist Lawyers], RVG [German Lawyers' Remuneration Act], CCBE [Code of Conduct for European Lawyers]) are available at brak.de.
Out-of-court dispute resolution:
Schlichtungsstelle der Rechtsanwaltschaft (Conciliation Body of the German Bar; Section 191f BRAO) at the Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (German Federal Bar) (Email: schlichtungsstelle@brak.de, Website: brak.de).
Language:
This English text is a courtesy translation of the German legal notice (Impressum). In the event of any discrepancy between the two versions, the German version prevails. The German version is available at doping-anwalt.de.
Privacy Policy
doping-anwalt.de
BUNZEL Rechtsanwälte Strafverteidiger
1. Controller
The Controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is:
BUNZEL Rechtsanwälte Strafverteidiger
Owner: Dr. Maik Bunzel
Fachanwalt für Strafrecht (Certified Specialist Attorney for Criminal Law)
Please refer to the legal notice on this website for our contact details.
2. General information on data processing
We process personal data exclusively:
- in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG)
- the rules of professional conduct for German attorneys (Section 43a BRAO (German Federal Lawyers' Act), Section 2 BORA (German Code of Professional Conduct for Lawyers) – duty of confidentiality)
As a rule, our website can be used without providing personal data. Where personal data is collected (for example via the contact form or by telephone), this is done on a voluntary basis.
3. Hosting and server log files
When you access this website, the hosting provider automatically records the following information:
- IP address
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- referrer URL
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This data is processed exclusively to:
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and for no other purpose.
Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest in a stable and secure website).
This data is not merged with other data sources.
4. Contacting us (contact form, email, telephone, WhatsApp)
When you contact us, we process the data you transmit to us:
- name
- email address
- telephone number
- the content of your message
- where applicable, facts relevant under criminal law
This processing is carried out exclusively for the purpose of:
- handling your inquiry
- assessing a potential engagement
- providing legal advice or criminal defense
Legal bases:
- Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR (pre-contractual measures)
- Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR (legal obligations)
- Art. 9(2)(f) GDPR (processing of special categories of personal data for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims)
5. Particular sensitivity of criminal-law data
In the course of our work as criminal defense attorneys, we regularly process:
- criminal allegations
- investigation files
- health data
- information on criminal investigation proceedings
This data is subject to:
- the attorney's professional duty of confidentiality
- enhanced technical and organizational protective measures
Disclosure takes place exclusively:
- to courts, public prosecutors' offices and authorities
- with your express consent
- to the extent required by law
6. WhatsApp communication
If you contact us via WhatsApp:
- the data is transmitted via servers operated by WhatsApp (Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd.)
- data processing outside the EU cannot be entirely ruled out
Use of this channel is voluntary. Alternatively, you can contact us at any time by telephone or email.
Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR.
7. Legal expenses insurance
If you engage us and wish us to submit a coverage inquiry, we transmit the relevant data to your legal expenses insurer.
This is done exclusively:
- to clarify whether your insurer will cover the costs
- with your consent
8. Retention periods
We store personal data only for as long as it is required:
- for handling the engagement
- to comply with statutory retention obligations (in particular Section 50 BRAO, Section 147 AO (German Fiscal Code))
Standard retention periods:
- 6 years (commercial and business correspondence)
- 10 years (tax records)
Once these periods expire, the data is deleted or blocked.
9. Your rights under the GDPR
You have the right at any time to:
- access (Art. 15 GDPR)
- rectification (Art. 16 GDPR)
- erasure (Art. 17 GDPR)
- restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR)
- data portability (Art. 20 GDPR)
- objection (Art. 21 GDPR)
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority.
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For security reasons, this website uses SSL/TLS encryption. You can recognize this by "https://" in the address bar of your browser.
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This website uses technically necessary cookies where these are required for its operation.
Should analytics or marketing tools be used, this will be done exclusively:
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12. No automated decision-making
There is no:
- automated decision-making
- profiling within the meaning of Art. 22 GDPR
13. External links
Our website may contain links to external websites. We assume no responsibility for their data protection practices.
14. Changes to this privacy policy
We reserve the right to amend this privacy policy if:
- legal changes occur
- technical changes are made
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The version published on this website always applies.
Last updated: February 2026
BUNZEL Rechtsanwälte Strafverteidiger. Your experts in doping-related criminal law.
Language
This English text is a courtesy translation of the German privacy policy. In the event of any discrepancies between the two versions, the German version prevails.