The NRL has joined forces with player managers and the Rugby League Players' Association to launch a player agent accreditation scheme in a bid to standardise the industry.

Chaired by former league official Geoff Bellew, the Agent Accreditation Committee met for the first time on Wednesday.

While not compulsory, the scheme will advertise those managers who are prepared to be accountable to a written code of ethics and regulations, with most of the game's leading agents having already lodged formal applications to take part.

NRL player contracts are worth an estimated $63 million a year, with player managers receiving about $4 million of that money.

"In any industry there have to be some sort of rules and a commitment to abide by them," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.

"While there's been a bit of reluctance along the way, the managers have now recognised this and also the importance of the scheme being administered in a transparent and independent way.

"It's about the game moving forward in a professional and structured way and, while it may not change the world overnight, it is a very important step."

The Player Manager's Executive (PME) said it was relieved that the NRL's accreditation process had finally been finalised.

"The NRL have put forward a most innovative system which ensures the protection of its players - young and old," PME president Steve Gillis said.

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