What impact does NAFTA have on wiring standards and approvals?

	The North America Free Trade Agreement came into effect on
	January 1st, 1994.  NAFTA attempts to bring down trade barriers
	between Mexico, Canada and the USA.  One of the "barriers" has
	been that of approval of material.  As of January first, CSA
	approval of a device is legally considered equivalent to UL
	approval in the USA.  Conversely, UL is now accepted as
	equivalent to CSA approval in Canada.  Theoretically, this
	means that devices marked only with UL approval are acceptable
	in the CEC, and conversely CSA approval by itself of a device
	is accepted by the NEC.  This allows much freer trade in
	electrical materials between the two countries.

	This doesn't affect the electrical codes themselves, so the
	differences in practice between the NEC and CEC will remain.
	It is also my understanding that bilateral acceptance of
	"approval" will only apply when the standards applied are
	reasonably the same.  As an example, a cable approved by the
	NEC for a given purpose may not be acceptable by the CEC for
	the same purpose if the standards requirements are different.
	Eg: "NMD" ("non-metallic, damp") cable is usually required for
	residences in Canada.  "NM" cable ("non-metallic, not damp
	locations) which is used in the same situations in the US,
	would probably not be acceptable in Canada.  Also,
	municipalities can add additional requirements on top of the
	CEC, as they can in the US over the NEC.

	Thus, Canadians will probably start seeing UL-only approved
	materials in stores, and Americans the same regarding
	CSA-only.  But some differences will remain.  When in doubt on
	major items, consult an inspector.  At least in Canada, the
	fact that the material is available in a store usually means
	that it's okay to install.