The NFPA is a private organization sponsored by the insurance companies. Their codes are “model electrical codes” that governments can adopt or adapt to local circumstances. Typical electrical inspections are simple checklist inspections, that vastly contribute to safety.
Building codes for safety are fine.
Wish list building requirements lead to problems for human beings.
Maybe that is what it is supposed to be but after the Marshall fire In Colorado many people were under insured and when the new electrical standards especially the mandatory of $30,000 electrical charging stations many found that they lost their home but it was impossible to rebuild. Colorado is number four in electrical vehicles at just over 2%. This is ridiculous.
In my engineering career I designed a lot of industrial equipment that relied on the NEC. Never saw anything that didn’t make good sense. My retirement BOL needed rewiring (originally built 1946 - they didn’t even run any grounds at all). Despite being so rural that we still have no building codes, I followed the NEC anyway. Cost me nothing to do it right.
Now, if you want to talk about low-flow toilets and Energy-Star dishwashers and laundry machines, I’m ready.