Transponder and balloons/sailplanes

Due to the ongoing discussion about the need to carry and operate a transponder on board of a balloon or sailplane, please note the following clarification:

As regards transponders, the Implementing Rules (BOP.BAS.360 for balloons and SAO.IDE.135 for sailplanes) do not prescribe that all balloons and sailplanes need to be equipped with a transponder. Under BOP.BAS.360 and SAO.IDE.135, the carriage and operation of a secondary surveillance radar (SSR) transponder is only required, when operating in a portion of airspace designated by the competent authority as a transponder mandatory zone in accordance with point (b) of point SERA.6005 of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 923/2012.