In 1998, a pilot hepatitis A surveillance system was established by the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) in collaboration with the Departmental Directorates of Health and Social Affairs (DDASS) and the Interregional Epidemiology Units (CIRE) in 14 participating departments. The objectives of this system were to detect clusters of cases at the departmental level in order to quickly implement appropriate control measures, to estimate the annual incidence of acute hepatitis A in the participating departments, and to monitor trends. Surveillance was based on case reporting (IgM anti-HAV positive) by clinical laboratories (LABM), supplemented by information collected from prescribing physicians. This system was evaluated in 2001 to make recommendations for the implementation of a national surveillance system.