ISO 14229-1:2013 specifies data link independent requirements of diagnostic services, which allow a diagnostic tester (client) to control diagnostic functions in an on-vehicle Electronic Control Unit (ECU, server) such as an electronic fuel injection, automatic gear box, anti-lock braking system, etc. connected to a serial data link embedded in a road vehicle.

It specifies generic services, which allow the diagnostic tester (client) to stop or to resume non-diagnostic message transmission on the data link.

ISO 14229-1:2013 does not apply to non-diagnostic message transmission on the vehicle's communication data link between two ECUs. However, it does not restrict an in-vehicle on-board tester (client) implementation in an ECU in order to utilize the diagnostic services on the vehicle's communication data link to perform bidirectional diagnostic data exchange.

ISO 14229-1:2013 does not specify any implementation requirements.