USB is a trademark. No-one shall use it unless the USB Implementors Forum certifies them: http://www.usb.org/developers/logo_license

It's the same for Android. It's open-source, but you cannot say that it's derived from Android unless you pass Google's tests (and according to Chinese independent manufacturors, you need to know people from the inside to advance your application).

Does Underwriters Laboratories do that kind of testing? I'm honestly curious-- I don't think I've ever seen their logo on anything as cheap as a single USB cable.

If so, you can look for their logo and have... some confidence at least.

The government is the one that should apply the laws to protect consumers and fair competence. Once something fishy has been detected they have to act.

https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consume...