Government announces new soundproofing regulator

Ministers are hoping that the launch of an independent company to oversee a huge improvement in the soundproofing of new homes could lead to a new wave of co-operation between government regulators and housebuilders.

The launch of Robust Details Ltd (RD) means that the new company will be able to oversee the highest levels of sound insulation in new homes, whereas until now developers have responded to a rolling programme of regulatory improvements for new homes driven by the building control system.

Essentially, RD approves and manages the use of robust details in the housebuilding industry, monitors the performance of these robust details and withdraws any that consistently fail to meet the required standards, helping industry to improve the sound-insulation performance of separating walls and floors in new homes.

This would benefit both industry by reducing its costs and government by reducing bureaucracy.

The biggest winners of such a scheme are consumers who will benefit from even higher standards of quality than dictated by the minimum pass/fail requirements of building regulations.

Speaking at the recent launch of RD, Phil Hope, minister for building regulations, said that the success of RD could herald an unprecedented level of co-operation between government and the wider construction sector.

"The way we carry out building control is changing. Experience has shown that self-certification significantly enhances compliance with the requirements of building regulations, reduce costs for firms joining the schemes and promotes training and competence within the industry," he added.