As I understand it, non-certified ADSB is perfectly okay until 2020. And since it's non-certified, it is by definition non-compliant. EG, you cannot hook a non-certified ADSB device to a certified Pitot-Static system to get accurate pressure data.
We've seen FAA agents receiving & deciminating conflicting information before. I consider it possible that what you were told is simply incorrect.
The FAA agent you spoke with said "there were regulations in effect requiring units in operation to meet the standards". Next time, I would ask for clarity on that: What regulation? Is this in the CFR? An Advisory Circular? A NOTAM? Something else? (I wouldn't be rude about it ;-). If they cannot answer that, I wouldn't treat the information as gospel. If they do give you something, please post back - would love to read that myself.
-Walter