I did a lot of bouldering and wanted to start doing lead climbing, until I learned that there's no independent certification for ropes.
Well, there is the UIAA, CE and CN.... but even if that weren't the general issues with rope are it being cut due to rockfall (which I have experienced and been terrified by) or due to repeatedly grinding over an edge. The ropes in climbing are way safer than many aspects of the sport. The thing that gives me pause over the last couple of years has been wondering about how picky I should be about partners. Human erro…
Bit late to the party but I didn't know about UIAA. Sometimes I forget I'm already nearing my 40's so a lot can happen in ~ 10-15 years (the last time I did any climbing).