ISO 22476-12:2009 specifies a mechanical cone penetration test (CPTM), including equipment requirements, execution and reporting. The results from such geotechnical testing are especially suited to the qualitative and/or quantitative determination of a soil profile — together with direct investigations — or as a relative comparison with other in situ tests.

The results from a cone penetration test can in principle be used to evaluate stratification, soil type, and geotechnical parameters such as soil density, shear‑strength parameters and deformation and consolidation characteristics.

ISO 22476-12:2009 specifies the following features: type of cone penetration test; application class; penetration length or penetration depth; elevation of the ground surface or underwater ground surface at the location of the cone penetration test with reference to a datum; location of the cone penetration test relative to a reproducible fixed location reference point.