Loggo:
I guess in the past I have always dealt with an employer who only wanted to take up references and perform checks when a job was offered.
If it helps, you’re not the only one to whom the current system has come as a surprise. Thing is, there’s a lot more at stake now for companies who inadvertently hire a “wrong 'un”; mostly when children or vulnerable people are concerned of course but much of it is adopted across the board as good business practice, the more so if an employer wants to conform to ISO standards and suchlike.
And of course to obviate any risk of them getting sued.