Background: The French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) manages and coordinates numerous surveillance systems. In 2009, the InVS initiated a standardized approach for the formal evaluation of certain surveillance systems. Method: Based on a common protocol developed in accordance with international recommendations, a qualitative evaluation process led by a committee of independent experts enabled four evaluations to be conducted between 2009 and 2013 in the field of infectious diseases. Results and Conclusion: This article presents, on the one hand, the methodology developed and the impact of the main results of these evaluations on the institute’s surveillance strategy and, on the other hand, discusses the benefits and limitations of this standardized approach.