Specific term used to designate international instruments that are sic “less formal”, thus corresponding to soft law and deal with a narrower range of subject-matter than treaties. "Agreements" are usually less formal and deal with a narrower range of subject-matter than "treaties". There is a general tendency to apply the term "agreement" to bilateral or restricted multilateral treaties. It is employed especially for instruments of a technical or administrative character, which are signed by the representatives of government departments, but are not subject to ratification.