Is there any regulation to ensure that life jackets and safety cards are on-board?
The FAA has a similar requirement (commercially under part 121)


  (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may
  operate an airplane in any overwater operation unless it is equipped
  with life preservers in accordance with §121.339(a)(1) or with an
  approved flotation means for each occupant. This means must be within
  easy reach of each seated occupant and must be readily removable from
  the airplane.
  
  (b) Upon application by the air carrier or commercial operator, the
  Administrator may approve the operation of an airplane over water
  without the life preservers or flotation means required by paragraph
  (a) of this section, if the air carrier or commercial operator shows
  that the water over which the airplane is to be operated is not of
  such size and depth that life preservers or flotation means would be
  required for the survival of its occupants in the event the flight
  terminates in that water.


In other words they are only actually required (per FAA regulations) when operating over water so not every plane (route provided) technically needs them. However many airplane seat bottoms may double as a personal flotation device so many planes are equipped with them by the nature of their construction.