LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Governor of the U.S. State of California Arnold Schwarzenegger announced on Monday that his state and Denmark will join efforts to promote green chemistry.

    An agreement to this effect has been signed by California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Linda Adams and Danish Environmental Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, the governor said in a statement.

    Calling the agreement "groundbreaking," Schwarzenegger said the cooperation will allow the two sides to share information and findings to implement California's green chemistry program.

    "Ensuring that the products Californians use every day are safe from hazardous chemicals is one of my top priorities, and that is exactly why I signed legislation last year to build the nation's most comprehensive Green Chemistry program," the governor said.

    "Today, we are taking another important step forward by partnering with Denmark to share information and best practices about chemical management to better protect the safety of our people and environment."

    In addition to improving California's ability to remove toxins from products, this agreement is a fantastic example of how subnational governments can take action to make real changes, Schwarzenegger noted.

    "I look forward to collaborating with more partners to further our goal of ensuring all products are safe for consumer use."

    In 2008, Schwarzenegger signed legislation propelling California to the forefront of the nation with its comprehensive Green Chemistry program.

    California's green chemistry approach seeks to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in products and the generation of toxic wastes by changing how society designs, manufactures, and uses chemicals in processes and products.

    Rather than managing wastes after end of product life, green chemistry shifts the focus to designing chemicals, processes, and goods that have less or no adverse effects throughout their lifecycle on California's people and the environment.