Harmonizing electrotechnical standards in North America

The creation of the North American free trade zone, and possibly an Americas free trade zone, will permit the US to compete on an equal footing with the European and Australasian markets. Harmonization of the electrotechnical product standards, conformity assessment test standards, and the electrical installation codes will greatly facilitate trade between Mexico, Canada, and the United States, and improve the economies and the standards of living in all three countries. The paper discusses the electrotechnical organisation agreements, types of harmonisation, North American harmonisation activities, electrotechnical standards harmonisation and their acceptance.