With the summer months now upon us, Consumer NZ is calling for the mandatory testing of sunscreens with many failing to meet their SPF labels.

Consumer NZ tested 19 products and says only nine met their SPF label claims and broad-spectrum requirements.

Consumer NZ chief executive Sue Chetwin says the classification of sunscreens as cosmetics is not protecting consumers.

Products could be sold without testing because the standard was voluntary but Chetwin said she would like the sunscreen standards to be mandatory.

Six other products failed to meet their SPF claims but their makers were able to provide test results that showed their products had been tested and met their label claims.

"Companies don't have to regularly test their products to ensure they still meet SPF claims, even if an ingredient supply changes and some companies may go for years, without re-testing," Ms Chetwin said.

Three products have been removed from sale, including two "natural" sunscreens Pure Blend Sunscreen SPF15++ and Pure South 100% Natural sunscreen, which provided sun protection of less than SPF 5.

The report showed that Cancer Society sunblock advertised as SPF 50+ only gave 40 protection. 

Snowberry Family+ Sunscreen SPF30 was also recalled after Consumer NZ found it had an SPF of only 20.

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.

- NZ Newswire