Concussion has been a major issue in the game the past few seasons with the NRL introducing a raft of guidelines and procedures clubs must follow as the threat of litigation increases.

In October, the Country Rugby League was wound up with the game in the state now governed by the one body for the first time in 80 years.

The NSWRL announced on Wednesday said the protocols will be introduced statewide, including an 18^th man concussion substitution and a mandatory stand-down period of 14 days for affected players.

McDermott said the committee is constantly reminding and educating clubs of their responsibilities when dealing with concussion.

He said the new guidelines, which are yet to be relayed in full, may be tough for some players to swallow, but the safety of participants is paramount.

"It's hard for it to be totally black and white because at some stage someone has to assess (the players) and make that opinion," McDermott said.

"When you haven't got doctors on the side and nine times out of ten you're looking at your own player,the assessment may not always be done fairly but the more black and white they can make it (the better).

"It's about player safety, everyone's liable and they won't have a choice. It's up to us as well to protect the players and when someone does do something wrong, they get the correct penalties for it.

"It's about training and reminding people. Trainers get turned over all the time so you have to keep reeducating, keep it at the forefront and push them to do the right thing."

Group Nine demonstrated how seriously they're taking the issue after slapping Kangaroos centre Fetongi Tuinauvai with a massive 21-game ban for punching Temora rival Paul Ferguson last season, which was reduced to ten games on appeal.

"We've pulled trainers in, showed them the video (of a concussion incident) and asked them if they thought it was a proper assessment, and they've put their hand up," McDermott said.

"Some have said it won't happen again, have dragged players off and had blues with their club management, it's slowly sinking in.

"Trainers get turned over all the time so you have to keep reeducating, keep it at the forefront and push them to do the right thing."

NSWRL general manager of football Barrie-Jon Mather said the game has a duty of care to protect players.

"We are just trying to increase the level of care and err on the side of caution when it comes to head knocks and concussions," Mather said."All sports have taken their guidance from the same experts and the same studies and the NSWRL is doing what they can in the interests of player welfare and safety."

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