The paper presents the new possibilities of automation of CNC machine tool programming using STEP-NC (ISO 14649). The drawbacks of G-code language (ISO 6983) still widely used and the data structure of new STEP-NC standard are presented. Next, the automation possibilities, namely automatic recognition of manufacturing features based on ISO 10303 files, automatic generation of STEP-NC programs based on manufacturing features defined in ISO 10303-224/ISO 14649 and automatic modification of STEP-NC (ISO 14649) programs are presented.