I think - I am an electrical engineer working in the offshore industry, so I have only superficial knowledge of shore-based installations - anyway, I seem to recall that the Norwegian electrical code calls for Schuko not being used to carry more than 10A continously, 16A intermittent.
However, until relatively recently, the average residential circuit was 10A, though you could get 16A if you asked for it - typically for tumble driers, washing machines and the like - so the market for appliances requiring more than 10A was quite slim.
I am sure the appliance stores didn't want to have to explain to each and every customer that the beefy kettle they had just put on the counter might not work at their house - hence, 10A appliances for all.
(Incidentally, I have a 3kW kettle I bought in the UK and a couple of 16A outlets on my kitchen counter.)
In Sweden (Schuko), 1.5 mm² wall installations are rated for up to 13 A now, but used to be 10 A. It's the wires in the walls being the bottleneck, not the connectors. Dunno why they up-rated it. Can't imagine the copper is better now than it used to be.
It is possible that the copper really is better. AFAIK, a lot of wiring that is sold today is made of high grade oxygen free copper, which, thanks to improvement in manufacturing processes, is barely more expensive than the lower grade stuff.
But even more important is the insulation. It has been consistently improved since cloth wires.
However, until relatively recently, the average residential circuit was 10A, though you could get 16A if you asked for it - typically for tumble driers, washing machines and the like - so the market for appliances requiring more than 10A was quite slim.
I am sure the appliance stores didn't want to have to explain to each and every customer that the beefy kettle they had just put on the counter might not work at their house - hence, 10A appliances for all.
(Incidentally, I have a 3kW kettle I bought in the UK and a couple of 16A outlets on my kitchen counter.)