Automated Childhood Cancer Information System (ACCIS) is a project supported by the European Commission, with the objective of collection, presentation, interpretation and dissemination of data on childhood cancer in Europe. The ACCIS database contains some 160,000 records on childhood and adolescent cancer cases registered over the last 30 years in 78 European population-based cancer registries, covering 2.6 billion person-years. To provide valid indicators of incidence and survival, the submitted datasets are verified using automatic check procedures. The tumours are classified according to the International Classification of Childhood Cancer. The ACCIS Scientific Committee evaluates the comparability of the individual datasets presented in a set of standard tables and comments on differences in data collection and processing. Selected indicators of incidence and survival are tabulated on the web site. The database is also distributed free of charge to all the contributors, together with a software permitting data analysis and presentation of results. The ACCIS database was designed with the view of continuous extension in time and geographical coverage. The collected data are being explored in a coordinated action of the collaborators and a series of scientific papers are under preparation. ACCIS Scientific Committee supervises these activities.