Abstract: The present invention relates to novel herbicidally active phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid esters, compositions which contain these compounds as active ingredient, and a method of selectively controlling weeds in crops of cultivated plants or of regulating plant growth which comprises the use of these compounds.The phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid esters have the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, halogen or cyano,R.sub.2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl,R.sub.3 is a radical OR.sub.4 or SR.sub.5,R.sub.4 is a substituted alkyl radical, an alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl radical, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or benzyl radical or a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic radical, andR.sub.5 is an unsubstituted alkyl radical or has the same meaning as R.sub.4.