IEC 60335-2-72:2012 deals with the safety of powered ride-on and powered walk-behind machines intended for commercial indoor or outdoor use for the following applications:
- sweeping,
- scrubbing,
- wet or dry pick-up,
- polishing,
- application of wax, sealing products and powder based detergents,
- shampooing of floors with an artificial surface. Their cleaning motion is more linear than lateral or periodic. This standard applies to machines for commercial use. The following list, although not comprehensive, gives an indication of locations that are included in the scope:
- public use areas such as hotels, schools, hospitals;
- industrial locations, for example factories and manufacturing shops;
- retail outlets, for example shops and supermarkets;
- business premises, for example offices and banks;
- all uses other than normal housekeeping purposes. They may be equipped with a traction drive system. The following power systems are covered:
- internal combustion engines,
- mains powered motors up to a rated voltage of 250 V for single-phase appliances and 480 V for other appliances and
- battery powered motors. Battery powered machines may be equipped with a built-in battery charger. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2002 and its Amendment 1 (2005). It constitutes a technical revision. The principal changes in this edition as compared with the second edition of IEC 60335-2-72 are as follows (minor changes are not listed). The standard has be revised completely and changed significantly, in particular with regard to the following clauses:
- the title has been changed for better distinction with regard to IEC 60335-2-67;
- the scope has been revised editorially to avoid misunderstandings;
- Clause 3 has been revised with regard to the requirements revised;
- the standard has been revised in general and updated regarding state-of-the-art, as far as necessary, in particular some changes have been made to Clauses 15, 22, and 25;
- the markings and instructions (Clause 7) have been revised basically;
- a new Annex DD 'Emission of acoustical noise' was added;
- and a new Annex EE 'Emission of vibration' was added. Keywords: Floor treatment machine; walk-behind machines, traction drive.

This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 60335-1:2010.