ISO 11148-4:2012 applies to hand-held non-electric power tools (hereinafter "non-rotary percussive power tools") intended for chipping, riveting, breaking of concrete and asphalt, ramming, etc. The non-rotary percussive power tool can be powered by compressed air, hydraulic fluid or internal combustion engines and is intended for use by one operator and supported by the operator's hand or hands, with or without a suspension, e.g. a balancer.

ISO 11148-4:2012 covers breakers, bush hammers, chipping hammers, small chisels, engraving pens, needle scalers, pick hammers, pile drivers, portable pile drivers, punches, rammers, riveting hammers, scaling hammers, stone hammers, spades and tampers.

ISO 11148-4:2012 does not cover special requirements and modifications on non-rotary percussive power tools for the purpose of mounting in a fixture.

ISO 11148-4:2012 deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations or hazardous events when the tools are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer, with the exception of the use of non-rotary percussive power tools in potentially explosive atmospheres.