The strict spa regulations placed on the Russian spa industry have been relaxed after two new federal standards came into force in September, with further rule changes coming in 2014.

The new legislation aims to end spa treatments being classified as preventative medicine treatments and two new federal standards – SPA: Terms and Definitions and SPA: Service Requirements will now regulate non-medical spa services.

The ruling came into force on 1 September and the change is seen as a breakthrough for the growing spa industry in Russia.

Medical law with regard to spas has not completely changed in the country however, as the obligation for spa facilities to obtain a medical licence to legally provide spa treatments is due to another piece of legislation – The Federal Classificator of Public Services – which contains a complete list of of codes provided for businesses referring to specific types of treatments.

The Spa and Wellness International Council (SWIC) has worked on proposing further legislation to allow spa therapists to work without needing a medical licence. As a result, nine codes – including spa body treatments, hygienic and cosmetic facials and pedicure and foot care – have been updated by the Federal Regulatory Agency to become non-medical procedures, with those changes coming into force 1 January 2014.

The code for hydro treatments however was declined because of strong opposition from the Russian Ministry of Healthcare.

“We consider the new laws a real victory for the Russian spa and wellness market,” said Elena Bogacheva, president of the SWIC. “We will continue to promote international standards, applicable for all categories of spas, especially for the prospective segment of hotel and resort spas.”

The new standards apply to day spas, club spas and hotel spas. Medical spas, including health resorts, are now operating under the new regulations issued by the Ministry of Healthcare.