Nafta and the EU : a comparison of the use of harmonization as a tool for regional integration

The European Community, today European Union, has been considered as a model to measure the success or failure of other Regional Integration Arrangements (RIAs). Harmonization can be understood as the promotion of convergence within different legal systems. Particularly in this case, harmonization of Member States' legislation has been a central legislative tool in establishing the internal market. However, harmonization, in areas such as technical standards and professional services, is not pursued as a main goal by all RIAs. This is because not all RIAs pursue the same degree of economic integration.However, due to the fact that differences in national legislation in the above mentioned areas can constitute non-tariff barriers to trade and go against their ultimate goals, even RIAs pursuing lower levels of economic integration such as the formation of a free trade area (FTA) as NAFTA, have taken action directed towards the harmonization of their Member States legislation in the above mentioned areas. These actions may take place through different channels due to the different institutional structure accomplished by RIAs, but the goal pursued is the same: the harmonization of Member States' legislation in order to avoid non-tariff barriers to trade and promote economic integration