'Cooker switches' are not actually mandatory – is this true?

[ringi]

I just read on another thread “'Cooker switches' are not actually mandatory”, I had always thought they were.

However for some reason if you have a gas hob you don’t seem to have to be able to turn off the gas to the hob from anywhere apart from the gas meter.

What about switches for electric showers?

Also why do you get switches for washing machines etc above the working surface that just turns of a socket in the cupboard next to the washing machine – I can’t think of any practical reason way the washing machine can’t just be unplugged if it needs to be isolated.

 

[ricicle]

There is no mandatory requirement for local isolation other than if manufacturer's instructions state it. However it is much more convenient and secure to isolate nearby when working on an appliance than remotely at the consumer unit (which is acceptable)
Also on a TT system, turning off the main switch to achieve DP isolation (which you need as the neutral can be several volts difference to earth) is also inconvenient.