diff --git a/committee-steering/OWNERS b/committee-steering/OWNERS
index c73d211d9..33e8272aa 100644
--- a/committee-steering/OWNERS
+++ b/committee-steering/OWNERS
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 # See the OWNERS docs at https://go.k8s.io/owners
 
+# only steering may approve this
+options:
+  no_parent_owners: true
+
 reviewers:
   - committee-steering
 approvers: