I believe the OP is about AFCI's and the cost !:?
well, the code is, as mentioned, written by volunteer labor. and buy and large, it's a good consensus.
however, if we want to go look at the aluminum branch circuit wire fiasco of the 1970's.. that product
was approved by the code panels of the time.
and one of the key people in that implementation, from what i've been told in that was a housing contractor
from southern california, who used aluminum wire in everything he wired. during the 1970's, his shop had a railroad
siding, and he bought romex... aluminum romex, buy the railcar load, in multiple cars. he put it in everywhere.
there were 300 electricians working for him during the housing boom of the 1970's here, lassoing houses.
he sued any city that wouldn't let him use it.
http://law.justia.com/cases/california/calapp3d/33/573.html
so, there are politics afoot.
there always are.