But, furring strips don’t have the integrity or quality control to be structural components.
Why do you claim that? Lots of assembly details call them out.
Part of why they’re so cheap is because they’re complete junk structural.
They aren’t cheap though? Almost all dimensional lumber is paid by the board foot. A 2x2 furring strip is about 50% the price of the same length 2x4.
Why are you being continuing to be disingenuous and still moving goal posts…? They are absolutely structural. They are used to hold up ceiling panels, which is always a load bearing structural use.