[18 September 2026]

Steptoe and TrustWorks Global organised an in-person event on ‘CAHRAs and Risk Prioritization under EU Sustainability Regulation’ held on the sidelines of the first edition of the UN Business and Human Rights Regional Forum for Western Europe 2026. The event took place at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg Friday, September 18 from 08:30 – 09:30 am CEST.

Objective

In this 1-hour workshop, Yousuf Aftab, Partner at Steptoe and Josie Lianna Kaye, CEO of TrustWorks examined how companies should consider conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs) under the prioritization architecture of EU sustainability regulation, including the EU CS3D, Batteries Regulation, and Forced Labor Regulation, among others. These regulations follow distinct prioritization approaches. They converge, however, in leading to CAHRAs as human rights and sustainability priorities for companies across sectors.

The workshop featured:

• An interactive roundtable on the operational challenges for companies in CAHRAs
• Facilitated discussion on integrated risk prioritization and due diligence approaches under EU sustainability prioritization
• A practical scenario involving a company navigating sourcing decisions connected to a CAHRA-linked supply

Outcome

Participants received practical insights on integrating CAHRA considerations into risk prioritization processes, strengthening governance approaches, and navigating complex operational trade-offs. Further background on the topic is available in a joint Steptoe-TrustWorks briefing note, Conflict and Risk Prioritization under EU Sustainability Regulation.

For more information please contact:

Yousuf Aftab, Partner, Steptoe LLP | yaftab@steptoe.com

Josie Lianna Kaye, CEO & founder, TrustWorks Global | josie@trustworksglobal.com