Enabling the broad range of professional bodies who currently operate peer-reviewed Conservation Accreditation Schemes in the UK and Ireland, with related client body interests in attendance, the established Edinburgh Group continues to develop the work and principles initially ratified by an agreed suite of documentation prepared in 2003. Since 2008 COTAC has enabled and facilitated its 6-monthly meeting cycle. The updated 2016 Terms of Reference of the Group, which was originally initiated in Edinburgh, aim to encourage a continuing common approach towards the development, monitoring, and promotion of historic environment accreditation schemes for individual practitioners on a pan-professional basis
In support of Group intentions, COTAC maintains its on-line 5-Unit Understanding Conservation website and continues to offer a high-level of structured architectural conservation CPD provision to assist in the personal development of practitioners and to help them gain accredited status.