Out of the 10 products tested, just half met their SPF and broad-spectrum label claim.
Those included the Cancer Society Everyday, Cetaphil Sun Kids Liposomal Lotion, Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face Superscreen, Skinnies Conquer with Manuka Oil Sports Sunscreen and Nivea Sun Sensitive Protect.
All carried a label of SPF50+.
A further three sunscreens failed to meet their SPF claims but met their broad-spectrum claims.
Those were Banana Boat Daily Protect Sunscreen, Natural Instinct Invisible Natural Sunscreen and Sukin Suncare Sheer Touch Facial Sunscreen Untinted.
The SPF rating for Banana Boat was still high at 40.4 but did not meet the SPF50+ claimed on the label.
Sukin and Natural Instinct were found to only provide moderate protection, SPF15 TO 25, rather than the high SPF30 advertised.
Consumer New Zealand said Sukin had advised its suncreen was being retested.
Le Tan Coconut Lotion and Ecosol Water Shield Sunscreen met neither the SPF nor broad-spectrum claim made on their label.
It is the second time the Le Tan sunscreen failed to meet its SPF claim in testing, according to Consumer NZ.
Consumer NZ chief executive Jon Duffy said that in a country with such high rates of skin cancer it was imperative SPF claims were accurate.
"Making sure consumers can rely on the claims made labelling so that they know they're getting a reliable product is absolutely critical," he said.
"Secondly, as with any product, manufacturers should be able to stand behind the claims that they're making on their label."
Duffy said manufacturers of sunscreens found not to be meeting the claims should work to rectify the labelling.
Full test results are available on www.consumer.org.nz.
