<b></b>The government has offered the housebuilding industry the chance to devise an alternative to the compulsory testing of sound insulation which was to be introduced in revisions to Part E of the Building Regulations. HBF lobbying has led to the offer of an 18-month window in which to come back with a proposal. <br> &amp;“Post construction testing is not a normal way of dealing with regulations, and is expensive and time consuming,&amp;” says HBF technical director Dave Baker. &amp;“Robust standard details that would ensure that all new homes would meet the standards by a mile would be better.&amp;” <p></p><p>New regulations due to come into force in July 2003 will apply to all residential accommodation, including hostels and hotels. <b></b></p><p></p><p></p>