From a comment on a similar issue ([JAVASERVERFACES-2740|https://java.net/jira/browse/JAVASERVERFACES-2740]), [~edburns] says:

rich:tabPanel using @binding: switching tabs invokes itemChangeListener multiple times -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Key: RF-12976 URL: https://issues.jboss.org/browse/RF-12976 Project: RichFaces Issue Type: Bug Security Level: Public(Everyone can see) Components: component-panels-layout-themes Affects Versions: 4.3.2 Environment: Apache Tomcat 7.0.34 Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment 1.7.0_21-b11 @ Linux Firefox 18.0, IE9, IE10, Chrome 24 Metamer 4.3.2.20130510-Final Reporter: Jiří Štefek Labels: regression Fix For: 4.3.2 Attachments: TabPanelBindingTest-4.3.0.Final.war Regression against RichFaces 4.3.1.Final. (not working in 4.3.2.CR1|Final) See steps to reproduce.