considered to be "in spec"
I think the manufacturers idea of "in spec" is: if they push the button and it conducts, it's good. i don't think they give a !@#$ if the switch force is high or low.
If you believe that, then you have never purchased switches from an ISO 9000 certified company. A major portion of the confusion is based on bad interpretation and out of date specifications. The sales and marketing departments of some big companies don't even know the specs of what they are currently selling, but that isn't the manufacturers fault.