There have been parallel changes in social norms. Certainly, especially in continental European countries, there are still laws, decrees, collective bargaining agreements, and employment contracts, as well as ‘‘corporate charters’’, ‘‘codes of conduct’’, technical norms, ISO quality standards, etc. This results in a widespread diversification of norms and the appearance of frequently hybrid normative instruments, of uncertain legal standing, that undeniablyact as practical guidelines. For example, it is interesting to consider the proliferation of American multinational agreements concerned, at least partially, with work (Verge, 2006). There are certain similarities, particularly the commitment of signatory countries to apply their own national law, but also differences or divergences: some American (USA) agreements include commercial sanctions, while others (Canadian) remain relatively close to traditional international public law, envisaging ‘‘appropriate measures in case of