The Emergencies Ministry announced the change, saying certified civilian filtering gas masks and children's protective chambers will be available to any buyer from March 1.
According to the ministry, Russia had until now lacked approved requirements for personal respiratory protection. It said the market had seen low-quality products and counterfeit goods, and that quality will now be subject to control.
The government set the certification procedure, while quality requirements were drawn up by the Defense Ministry and the Emergencies Ministry, the ministry said.
Citing The Moscow Times, regulations in force since 1992 barred citizens from freely buying such equipment in stores. Gas masks were classified as dual-use goods and sold only with the appropriate permit.