TBH that doesn't sound ridiculous at all. "UL recognized" is not the same thing as "UL listed."
The former means that the assembly is assumed to meet UL specifications; the second means that it has been inspected by UL and confirmed that the assembly actually does meet specifications.
Making sure that things meet specifications is the entire point of the building department's inspections.
I acknowledged that in my comment. Part of my point here is that UL is not exactly a disinterested 3rd-party when it comes to endorsing additional layers of certification.
The former means that the assembly is assumed to meet UL specifications; the second means that it has been inspected by UL and confirmed that the assembly actually does meet specifications.
Making sure that things meet specifications is the entire point of the building department's inspections.