Since 1970, benfluralin has been registered in the United
States as a preemergent dinitroaniline herbicide. In 2004, the
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted an
assessment to determine if pesticide products containing the
active ingredient of benfluralin were eligible for pesticide
reregistration. The criteria included meeting current human
health and safety standards, and determining if the pesticide
being used poses any unreasonable risks to human health
and the environment. Results of the US EPA assessment were
explained in the Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) of
benfluralin. The RED document determined that pesticides
with the active ingredient of benfluralin were eligible for
reregistration provided certain stipulations listed in the RED
document were met that included additional label requirements.
Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA) Section 3, all new pesticides used in the
United States must be registered by the Administrator of the
US EPA. There are 38 products registered for benfluralin.