The European Union has released the latest version of the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC), which will replace the old Machinery Directive 98/37/EC on December 29, 2009. This regulation is one of the basic laws on health and safety formulated by the European Union according to a new approach. Compared with the current Machinery Directive 98/37/EC, the new directive has some new requirements and significant changes in the scope of application, boundaries with other guiding laws, market supervision, safety components, conformity assessment procedures, and basic health and safety requirements. The scope and definition of the Machinery Safety Directive are different from Directive 98/73/EC. The new directive not only excludes some mechanical equipment, but also provides clear provisions for applicable mechanical products. The scope of the new directive has been expanded, and winches, ammunition driven fixed equipment, and other impact machinery used on construction sites will no longer be excluded.