In order to standardize the management of mechanical devices by EU member states and ensure the coordination and consistency of regulations on mechanical devices among EU member states, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Community issued the "Directive on the Coordination of Regulations on Mechanical Devices among Member States" (98/37/EC) on June 22, 1998. On June 9, 2006, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union published the latest version of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC in their official gazette.