The reason other counties don’t use ring circuits isn’t because they’re less safe or inherently worse in any way, which the term “substandard” clearly implies.

Yes. That is the reason.

If a ring circuit suffers a break in the live wire anywhere along its length, it fails dangerous. It will appear to be functioning properly right up until the wiring in the wall catches fire.

The only way that ring circuits could be considered somewhat safe is if they were clearly labeled and regularly tested for continuity.