Commitment to Safety
Herbicide Safety
We work hard on the safety of our herbicide products—for farmers, consumers and the environment.
Enlist® herbicides undergo rigorous periodic regulatory review to approve their safety. EPA completed its most recent review of Enlist herbicides in 2022 and will re-confirm they meet the standards for registration again in 2029.
In fact, 2,4-D, a key active ingredient in Enlist One® and Enlist Duo®, is one of the world’s most studied active ingredients. 2,4-D has been the subject of numerous long-term and laboratory-based studies in both high and low doses. There are more than 4,000 peer-reviewed, published studies and articles on 2,4-D. Utilizing this scientific literature, regulatory authorities around the world have concluded that 2,4-D may be safely used as directed – meaning when it is used according to the label by farmers to control weeds. It should not be ingested or used for purposes other than intended. View the safety studies.
Stringent Regulatory Processes
More than 90 regulatory bodies around the world that are charged with protecting human health and the environment, along with thousands of scientists, have approved the safety of 2,4-D when used as directed, including:
- Health Canada
- The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
- The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
Agricultural products require more types of data for regulatory approval – human health, dietary and ecological – than pharmaceutical products do.
The U.S. EPA evaluates every new pesticide and every new use for safety before registration. Before they may be sold, EPA must ensure that pesticides are safe for human health and the environment when used according to label directions.1
For each pesticide it reviews, the U.S. EPA evaluates hundreds of different scientific studies during the registration and re-registration process, relying on the best science available and placing high value on transparency in decision-making. During the process, the U.S. EPA may request studies and data from manufacturers, third parties and the public, and takes findings and questions to independent expert panels such as the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel and the National Academy of Sciences.
As recently as 2020, the U.S. EPA reaffirmed its review of all available human health data on 2,4-D in a Human Health Assessment completed during the re-registration process for Enlist® and Enlist Duo® and approved the safety of 2,4-D when used as intended. As part of that process, the U.S. EPA reviewed its previous findings as well as the most up-to-date human health safety data and information about 2,4-D, including dozens of new studies.
The U.S. EPA does the same for animals and the environment. For example, the EPA requires that all new pesticide products pass an assessment to verify that use of the product won’t negatively impact endangered and threatened species and critical habitats. In December 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed that the labels for Enlist One® and Enlist Duo® adequately protected endangered species and their habitats and the Enlist® herbicides became the first pesticides to complete this comprehensive assessment under the new process.
Unique Formulation
Enlist® herbicides are a leading choice for effective and neighbor-friendly control of the toughest weeds.
Newer formulations of herbicides with 2,4-D choline, including Enlist® herbicides, stay where they are sprayed. With near-zero volatility and greatly reduced potential for drift, they can be used without damaging surrounding crops or other areas when used as intended. After doing their job, these formulations break down quickly and dissipate, without lingering or building up in the environment.
Newer formulations and extensive investment in stewardship initiatives by Corteva, or the industry, mean that 2,4-D products are easier to apply than many other available alternative herbicides. While these products are simpler to use and offer more flexibility than other such products, Corteva works with retailers to promote good stewardship and ensure farmers have the tools they need to apply the product properly.
To support the correct use of these 2,4-D products, Corteva offers online webinars, self-paced training materials and in-person training. Learn more about Enlist® Ahead training.
The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3® soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva Agriscience LLC and M.S. Technologies, LLC. Enlist Duo® and Enlist One® are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine of a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Enlist Duo and Enlist One are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use in Enlist crops. Always read and follow label directions.