Russia to lift 30-year restriction on civilian gas mask sales in 2027
Russia will allow unrestricted sales of certified civilian gas masks, including children's models, starting March 2027 — the first such move in over three decades. Authorities cite a need for better quality oversight in the market.
Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry has announced that starting March 1, 2027, certified civilian gas masks, including models designed for children, will be sold without restrictions for the first time in more than 30 years.
Gas masks have been on Russia's list of restricted-sale products since 1992. That changed in early August, when President Vladimir Putin signed a decree removing gas masks from the restricted list. The decree is set to take effect in March 2027.
Addressing quality concerns
According to the Emergency Situations Ministry, Russia previously had no approved standards governing personal respiratory protective equipment. The ministry said this gap allowed low-quality and counterfeit products, some of them imported, to enter the market. Officials stated that product quality will now be monitored under the new framework.
The ministry's statement did not specify additional details about how the new oversight mechanism will function once the restrictions are lifted, nor did it explain the timing behind the policy change.
