EEMUA-159 carries no weight in the USA. API-653 is our standard of choice. Last time i looked at it it seemed to be pretty light on the tecjnical requirements. In fact, it simply referenced API-653 for the hard stuff.
EEMUA 159 is referenced in New Zealand Law along with API653. However, most companies here go for the API653 option as it is more definate on what you have to do.