What is the difference between obdII and OBDII certified?

OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics II) refers to a standardized system used in vehicles for self-diagnosis and reporting of malfunctions in their emission control systems. "OBD-II certified," on the other hand, typically refers to devices, such as scanners or tools, that have been tested and approved to meet the OBD-II standards for functionality and compatibility. In essence, while OBD-II represents the diagnostic protocol itself, OBD-II certified indicates that a product meets specific requirements for use with that protocol.