This is a bit different, and it's possible your registrar is not yet using the latest RAA (Registrar Accreditation Agreement). Specifically, the email you're talking about is the once-a-year verification email that all compliant registrars must send. The OP was dealing with a new rule which is part of the RAA 2013, which adds the requirement for verifying emails within 15 days of any registrant change that impacts either the name or the email address of the registrant.

(Edited to fix typo for RAA)