A chain link for a handling chain, wherein the handling chain has a plurality of chain links which adjoin each other in the longitudinal direction of the handling chain and which in their adjoining first and second connecting regions (41, 42) are connected together pivotably about a respective first pivot axis which extends in the transverse direction (q), wherein the chain link is adapted to form a pivotal connection in the form of a hinge joint connection with the respectively adjoining chain link and has a plate-like body having a first side, a second side and two narrow sides which face in the longitudinal direction of the handling chain and two narrow sides which face in the transverse direction (q) relative to the longitudinal direction of the handling chain and which connect the first side and the second side together, the first connecting region is arranged at one of the narrow sides facing in the longitudinal direction and the second connecting region is arranged at the other narrow side facing in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first connecting region is so adapted that when the chain link is connected to a respective adjacent chain link in addition to the pivotal movement about the first pivot axis the hinge joint connection permits at least one further relative movement of the chain links, the first connecting region of the chain link as a first connecting means has at least one hinge opening which is axial with respect to the first pivot axis, with a slot profile, the second connecting region of the chain link as a second connecting means has at least one pin arranged axially with respect to the first pivot axis, wherein the at least one pin is engageable into a hinge opening of the first connecting region of an adjacent chain link so that for connecting two adjacent chain links the first and second connecting means (45, 46) of the associated connecting regions (41, 42) of the two chain links can be brought into mutually superposed relationship and can be brought into engagement in a joining position in which the chain links can be set at an angle through 90° with engagement of the pin of the one chain link into the slot profile of the hinge opening of the other chain link, wherein the two adjacent chain links at the connecting means (45, 46) are pivotable out of the joining position into a working position in which the two adjacent chain links can be set at an angle through 180°, and wherein the chain link has a blocking device with which adjacent chain links can be secured to prevent detachment of the connection in the working position, characterised in that the slot profile of the at least one hinge opening which is axial relative to the first pivot axis extends in the heightwise direction (h) perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction (q) and is in the form of a C-profile which opens in the heightwise direction (h) towards the second side and the at least one pin is of a circular cross-section. the first connecting region is arranged at one of the narrow sides facing in the longitudinal direction and the second connecting region is arranged at the other narrow side facing in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first connecting region is so adapted that when the chain link is connected to a respective adjacent chain link in addition to the pivotal movement about the first pivot axis the hinge joint connection permits at least one further relative movement of the chain links, the first connecting region of the chain link as a first connecting means has at least one hinge opening which is axial with respect to the first pivot axis, with a slot profile, the second connecting region of the chain link as a second connecting means has at least one pin arranged axially with respect to the first pivot axis, wherein the at least one pin is engageable into a hinge opening of the first connecting region of an adjacent chain link so that for connecting two adjacent chain links the first and second connecting means (45, 46) of the associated connecting regions (41, 42) of the two chain links can be brought into mutually superposed relationship and can be brought into engagement in a joining position in which the chain links can be set at an angle through 90° with engagement of the pin of the one chain link into the slot profile of the hinge opening of the other chain link, wherein the two adjacent chain links at the connecting means (45, 46) are pivotable out of the joining position into a working position in which the two adjacent chain links can be set at an angle through 180°, and wherein the chain link has a blocking device with which adjacent chain links can be secured to prevent detachment of the connection in the working position, characterised in that the slot profile of the at least one hinge opening which is axial relative to the first pivot axis extends in the heightwise direction (h) perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction (q) and is in the form of a C-profile which opens in the heightwise direction (h) towards the second side and the at least one pin is of a circular cross-section.