Ethyl 3-phenoxybenzoate is primarily used as an intermediate in the synthesis of synthetic pyrethroid insecticides. It serves as a key building block in the production of agrochemicals, particularly for formulating effective pesticides to control agricultural pests. The compound is also employed in household and pet insect repellent products, helping to reduce the spread of insect-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Additionally, it is valuable in scientific research for studying insecticide mechanisms and developing more efficient chemical agents.