The Mepa board this morning granted a permit for the building of facilities by Sterling Chemicals for research and development.
Officials of the Authority explained at a public hearing that manufacturing facilities would require a separate permit and environmental impact assessment.
The research facilities will be built at Hal Far.
During the hearing, Birzebbuga Council representatives raised concerns about safety.
It was agreed that Sterling, which would carry out its research for the pharmaceutical industry, would periodically provide Mepa will a list of the active ingredients in use on the premises so that inspections could be carried out as necessary.
Issues such as a call by Birzebbuga council for the chemical waste not to be disposed in the sewage system, would be tackled during consideration of the application for a permit for manufacturing facilities.