Sulfoxaflor is classified for use against sap-feeding insects as a sulfoximine, which is a sub-group of insecticides that act as nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators.

[4] On May 6, 2013, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the first two commercial pesticide products that contain sulfoxaflor, marketed under the brand names "Transform" and "Closer", to the Dow Chemical Corporation.

[9] On October 14, 2016, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved new registrations for sulfoxaflor, "Transform" and "Closer", to the Dow Chemical Corporation.

[10] The EPA concluded that sulfoxaflor would lessen the danger to bees since industry-backed studies assessed it dissipated more quickly and required few applications than other pesticides.

[11] On December 21, 2022, the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the EPA broke the law in allowing new uses of sulfoxaflor because it failed to assess its risks to endangered species nor give the public a chance to comment on the decision.