As an electrican trained under British standards, perhaps I can shed some light on the subject. During the inspection all circuits were tested for impedance and insulation dielectric strength, this was to ensure everything was safe, basically it was a verification of sorts before the electrican signed off on their work, there were other tests for grounding and bonding as well. This process, as can be imagined, was time consuming, often taking the good part of a day to complete for a single family home, so electricans would pre test their work.
Later I moved to Canada, which is similar to the U.S., no such testing was performed either by the installing electrican nor during the inspection, in fact most elecricans had no idea what a megger tester was, let alone how to use one.
Perhaps the nominal voltage being 240V has something to do with the higher standard, 120V is far more forgiving. Electrical inspectors, in Canada at least, are spread pretty thin, they now use registered representatives, usually the site forman as the inspector and once trusted, the inspector will likely not even show up.
Note. The past tense is used as my involvement in the British electrical industry is dated, but it would appear the tradition continues.