PCI compliance : Level 4 merchant : validation optional?

From the Authorize.net website
[URL=“http://www.authorize.net/resources/pcicompliance/”]http://www.authorize.net/resources/pcicompliance/

[I]
PCI Level 4 Merchants

Less than 20,000 Visa or MasterCard e-commerce transactions per year, and all other merchants processing up to 1 million Visa or MasterCard transactions per year

Recommended annual PCI Self-Assessment Questionnaire and quarterly network scan. Merchant qualified independent scan vendor

Note: While compliance is mandatory for Level 4 Merchants, validation is optional but strongly recommended[/I]

What does “validation is optional” mean?