IAG OU-9 is a pegmatite, from the Separation Lake Pegmatite Field, Canada and was supplied as a coarsely crushed bulk sample by Fred Breaks of the Ontario Geological Survey, Canada, working in collaboration with Andy Tindle (Open University). The material was ground, homogenised and sealed in packets at The Open University. The test material was analysed by WDXRF at the Open University for a range of major and trace elements and the data assessed for homogeneity using the Fearn test. In none of the cases for which valid data were obtained was any significant lack of homogeneity found, and therefore the sample was considered suitable for use in the GeoPT proficiency testing programme. The material was characterised as a reference material using results from the GeoPT23/2008 round of the International Association of Geoanalysts’ GeoPT proficiency testing scheme (Webb et al., 2008). The Proficiency Testing Steering Committee for this round was Prof. M. Thompson (statistician), Dr P.C. Webb (results coordinator), Prof. P.J. Potts, J.S. Watson and C. Kriete.