Not saying it's all bad, because there can be, and has been some good come of it - however, you also get a lot of nonsense coming out of it too.
One example is GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupters) outlets and breakers. Good thing, generally. But originally they were required only in certain areas, typically around kitchen and bathroom sinks/showers, etc. However, they're now required in lots of other places as well - and for other things - like now we have to GFI protect electric ranges. Huge added expense. How many people do you know are shocked by their kitchen range?
But another newbie is the AFCI outlet/breaker - arc fault circuit interrupters - designed to sense a loose connection, frayed lamp cord, etc. - been around for years now but the technology STILL doesn't work. The first few generations of AFCI devices would trip whenever you turned on or off a light switch. Just nasty, stupid, worthless devices that only add - like every regulation adds - more and more cost to an installation.