Quote from USB.org:
So basically, if you want to play it safe, look for a product that uses said logo. I can't post any links or images, but you can easily just look up "USB-IF Logo" in Google Images for some examples of what to look for. Also, apparently Amazon was cracking down pretty hard on this whole debacle back in 2016. I'm not sure if they've maintained strict crackdowns since then, but I imagine they still keep an eye on it. Ultimately, just use common sense in that:
1) Look for something that says that it uses 56k Ohm in its product description.
2) Look for something that has favorable reviews, and make sure to read some reviews, even the bad ones.
3) Be on the look out for sketchy-looking brands and products.
4) Look for something that can ship through Amazon Prime. Usually, Prime is only offered for premium-grade brands and products.
5) Check for the aforementioned USB-IF Logo.
If you are still unsure about the product in question, USB.org has generously made a list of certified products available. I can't post links as a new member, but just Google "USB Type-C Cable Certifications.pdf". It should be the first result.
Three short comments - apart from this being absolutely correct, and what users should do.
1. Amazons actions probably were a pure PR move. Maybe valuable in signaling "something" but as far as verification goes - zero impact, and zero transparency. (What criteria..?) The logic here goes as follows, some of the "offending products" are still listed on Amazon - users in here have confirmed, that for some of the top listed cables, as of today - there were reviews, that they didnt use 56k resistors. (Now, those could be revisions, but the point is, that we dont know.)
Also - Amazon has close to zero possibilities to check. They are also mostly data driven. As long as they didn't create their own "label", they very likely didn't do any physical checks. They are decentralized, they have thousands of small independent distributers in their lines, they have known brands of which some product lines where affected and some where not.
Believe in the rumor, is a bad motto..
Especially if that believe is somehow attached to "buy from amazon".
2. USB-IF is an industry self regulation regime - that probably excludes certain manufacturers targeting a lower price point. I'm sceptical of those. Integrating a 56k resistor is not a real cost driver - and if you need a cert process for an open universal standard - things already are messed up. I've also read that, in the USB 3.1 or .2 standard a verification and digital "signature" layer was added, while not changing the actual charging standards from previous standards - which sounds amusingly like "cable DRM" - come buy your specification now. (Get on the list..) But yes - "buy logo" is simpler.
Of course - also zero transparancy (test results), industry driven, ... PR and "market consolidation" measure.
3. I'm still not convinced, that 10k ohms is the "widespread issue" in practice - the verge made it sound like (because of voltage regulation in most PCs, mainly) I simply don't see the mass outcry of people having bricked their USB ports (or phones (which doesnt happen)), by having charged them from their PCs.
I see one isolated report about a Macbook Air "intermittently" bricking a usb port. I see an Apple return program for USB C charging cords two months later, with an issue descripption of USB C ports may only intermittently charge (fyi they exchanged cables, not ports
(so no fried usb ports)) - and I start to wonder. (Direct connection can not be drawn, it affected USB C ports, and the verge journalists "fried" ports where USB A, apparently.)
Its a potential issue nevertheless - and people shouldnt buy cables with non standard resistors.
edit: Here is a list of 20 pages of "certified USB C cables" according to the USB-IF program, including their revisions (cable is ok from rev1 onward - but some manufacturers also use rev0
- and some dont) , if you believe in that process.
http://www.usb.org/kcompliance/view/USB Type-C Cable Certifications.pdf
I hope its up to date..