ISO 11148-3:2012 applies to hand-held non-electric power tools (hereinafter "drills and tappers") intended for rotary drilling of holes in all kinds of material, e.g. wood, metal, concrete and plastics, or for tapping and cleaning threads in metal and plastics. The drills and tappers can be powered by compressed air, hydraulic fluid or internal combustion engines and are 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 11148-3:2012 is applicable to drills, heavy duty drills with two handles and tappers.

ISO 11148-3:2012 is not applicable to special requirements and modifications of drills and tappers for the purpose of mounting them in fixtures.

ISO 11148-3:2012 deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations or hazardous events when drills and tappers are used as intended and under conditions of misuse that are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer, with the exception of their use in potentially explosive atmospheres.